How to see if your data has been leaked
- Eshaan Jagpal
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
Article written by: Eshaan Jagpal
Article designed by: Natasha Gumpula and Eshaan Jagpal
What is a data leak and how can it occur?
A data leak is when there is an unwanted disclosure of personal information from a system or network to an external party. A data leak can occur if a company’s infrastructure is weak and an attacker manages to infiltrate their data base. From there, the attacker gains access and leaks the private information of the numerous customers the company has. One of the most common causes of a data leakage is actually from a human error. Clicking on a wrong link from an email or even sending an email to the wrong person can result in a user with malicious intent to get ahold of important data.
What are Some Signs Your Data May Have Been Leaked?
There are many signs to look for in order to find out if your data has been leaked. One thing to look out for is if you receive any emails about unauthorized logins.
This is usually a sign that an attacker has gained information about your account and they successfully logged in using the information. Another sign is if you are receiving a lot of password reset emails. This also could be a sign that an attacker has information about your account and they are trying to lock you out of it.
How to check your account for suspicious activity
One thing to do in order to check your account for suspicious activity is by checking your account’s login history. By doing this, you can see if any unauthorized users logged into your account that weren’t supposed to. Another step you can take is to see if you have received any emails about multiple login attempts. You can be receiving these emails if an unauthorized user is trying to access your account.
What steps you should take if your data was leaked
The very first thing you should do if your data was leaked is to change your passwords to all of your compromised accounts. This will lock out the attackers after your data was leaked. You can also turn on two factor authentication after resetting your passwords. Two factor authentication makes it where when you try to log in to your account, you will have to enter a code that is either sent via email or test message.
Data leakage is something that happens to companies multiple times a year. Even though data leaks are inevitable, it is important to take certain steps in order to protect your data from users who want to use your data for bad.
Works Cited
What To Do After a Data Breach, https://consumer.ftc.gov/media/79862. Accessed 22 November 2025.
“What Is a Data Leak? 6 Common Causes for Data Leak.” Fortinet, https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/data-leak. Accessed 22 November 2025.
“What Is a Data Leak? - Definition, Types & Prevention.” Proofpoint, https://www.proofpoint.com/us/threat-reference/data-leak. Accessed 22 November 2025.
“What is Data Leakage?” IBM, https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/data-leakage. Accessed 22 November 2025.
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