How-Tos

Chrome can show you which of your saved passwords are compromised

Google’s Chrome browser can tell you which of your passwords are compromised.

Chrome comes with a built-in password checker that crosschecks saved passwords with their database, telling you if it has appeared on data breaches or leaks. This feature only works on passwords you have saved on Chrome’s built-in password manager.

Oftentimes, a strong password is all that stands between our personal or financial information and disaster. That is why we should guard it fiercely, because if it is breached, then you can quite literally lose it all.

How to check your saved passwords in Chrome

  1. Open Chrome (on your computer or Android phone).
  2. Click the three dots on the upper right.
  3. Go to Settings > Passwords.
  4. Click or tap Check Passwords.

Chrome will then go through your saved passwords and provide a list of compromised ones, including links to where you can change it.

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What should you do next?

Obviously, the first thing you should do is to change your passwords immediately. You might as well change all your passwords if you have the habit of using the same or some variation of the same passwords for most or all of your accounts.

Make sure to create a strong password using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Google suggests passwords that are unique, long, and memorable; And to avoid personal information and common words.

If you don’t like using random numbers and letters on your passwords, you can also use passphrases by combining unrelated words to form a phrase you can easily remember.

Apart from a strong password, you should also take the time to activate two-factor authentication or use Google Authenticator to further secure your accounts if the options are available. If you have a lot passwords and have trouble remembering them all, you can either write it down or use a password manager.

For Google accounts, you have the option to add a recovery email or phone number that allows you to gain access to your account in case of suspicious activities or in the event that you’re locked out.

Bryan is a geek at heart and a tech enthusiast by choice. He has a strong background in corporate communications, marketing services, and customer relations having worked in the telecommunications and banking sectors for over two decades. In his spare time, he enjoys watching clips on YouTube and binge watching shows on Netflix.

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