# VerificationsIO WHAT HAPPENED In February 2019, the email address validation service verifications.io [http://verifications.io/] suffered a data breach [https://securitydiscovery.com/800-million-emails-leaked-online-by-email-verification-service/].  Discovered by security researchers Bob Diachenko and Vinny Troia, the breach was caused by the company's data being stored in a database left publicly accessible, exposing 763 million unique email addresses.  Some of the exposed records also included names, phone numbers, IP addresses, and other personal details. HOW TO STAY SAFE 1. Change the password on your email account Since this leak exposed email addresses, updating your email password will reduce the risk of someone trying to access your inbox. This is especially important if you use the same password on other websites.  Follow one of our step-by-step guides depending on which email provider you use: How to Change Your Gmail Password [https://help.futureproof.app/article/1032-how-to-change-your-gmail-password] How to Change Your Yahoo Password [https://help.futureproof.app/article/1033-how-to-change-your-yahoo-password] How to Change Your AOL Password [https://help.futureproof.app/article/1034-how-to-change-your-aol-password] How to Change Your iCloud Password [https://help.futureproof.app/article/1035-how-to-change-your-icloud-password] How to Change Your Hotmail or Outlook Password [https://help.futureproof.app/article/1036-how-to-change-your-hotmail-or-outlook-password] How to Change Your Email Password (for other Email Accounts) [https://help.futureproof.app/article/1037-how-to-%D1%81hange-your-email-password-for-other-email-accounts] Then, turn on Two-Step Verification while you're there, so your account is harder to access even if your password is compromised again in the future. You’ll also find how to do that by clicking the links above. 2. Watch out for phishing attempts Since this breach exposed a large volume of email addresses, you may notice an increase in spam or phishing emails. Be cautious of unexpected messages asking you to click links or share personal information. WHY THIS BREACH MATTERS Even though this breach happened back in 2019, leaked data doesn't just expire. It keeps getting bought, sold, and reused by scammers.  And even if you've never used this exact site before, your email may have still ended up in it through a partner, data broker, or another service behind the scenes.  If you've ever reused this password anywhere else, it's worth taking a minute to secure it now.