Websites using Haveibeenpwned

Okay, let s break down Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) across those categories:

Overview

• Purpose: Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) is a free website and tool created by Troy Hunt that allows users to check if their email address or phone number has been compromised in a data breach. It aggregates data from publicly available data breaches and presents it in a searchable format.

• Functionality:

  • Email/Phone Search: Users can enter their email address or phone number to see if it appears in any of the breached databases HIBP tracks.
  • Password Search (Pwned Passwords): Users can check if their password has been seen in publicly available breaches. Importantly, HIBP uses k-Anonymity to hash and partially redact passwords before comparison, protecting user privacy.
  • Domain Search: Allows domain owners to monitor if email addresses associated with their domain have been compromised.
  • Notifications: Users can sign up to be notified if their email address is found in future data breaches.
  • API: HIBP offers a public API for developers to integrate breach checking into their own applications and services.
  • Open Source Code: Some components of HIBP are open source, contributing to transparency.

• Credibility: Considered a highly reputable and reliable resource in the cybersecurity community. Troy Hunt is a well-known and respected figure in the field. The accuracy and timeliness of HIBP are generally praised.

Revenue

• Primarily Donation-Based: HIBP is primarily funded through donations. Troy Hunt has consistently stated that he wants to keep the core service free for individuals.

• Corporate Sponsorships: HIBP accepts corporate sponsorships. These sponsorships often come with added features or dedicated resources.

• API Usage: While the public API has a free tier, high-volume usage may require a paid subscription. This is a key revenue stream to support infrastructure costs.

• No Advertising: HIBP does not display advertisements.

Alternatives

• BreachAlarm: A paid service that scans for compromised credentials across various sources.

• Firefox Monitor: A feature built into the Firefox browser that alerts users if their email address has been found in a data breach. It uses the Have I Been Pwned database.

• Google Password Checkup/Password Manager: Integrated into Google Chrome and Google accounts, this tool checks saved passwords for breaches and flags weak passwords.

• IdentityTheft.gov: A US government resource that can assist with recovering your identity if it is stolen.

• Paid Identity Theft Protection Services (e.g., LifeLock, IdentityForce): These offer broader protection including credit monitoring, dark web scanning, and identity theft insurance. They generally use breach data as one component of their monitoring.

• Securitytrails: Offers a comprehensive database of internet assets, including data breach information, domain history, and network intelligence.

Pricing

• Individual Use: The core Have I Been Pwned service for checking email addresses and passwords is free.

• Domain Search and Notifications: This service is free for basic usage.

• API: HIBP offers both free and paid API tiers. The free tier has rate limits and restrictions. Paid tiers provide higher rate limits and may include additional features. Pricing for the API depends on the specific needs and usage volume. It is usually tiered based on requests per minute. The HIBP website details the API pricing structure.

Customer Care Details

• No Traditional Customer Support: Because HIBP is primarily a free service, there is no dedicated customer support team in the traditional sense.

• Twitter: Troy Hunt is active on Twitter (@troyhunt) and often responds to questions and concerns related to HIBP. This is a good channel for quick inquiries.

• Blog and Documentation: The Have I Been Pwned website and Troy Hunt s blog contain a wealth of information, FAQs, and documentation about the service. This is the primary resource for understanding how HIBP works and addressing common questions.

• GitHub: Because some components of HIBP are open source, users can report issues and contribute to the project on GitHub.

• Contact Form: There is a contact form on the HIBP website, but responses may be delayed.

Key Takeaways

• Free and Valuable Resource: HIBP is an essential tool for individuals to proactively monitor their online security and potential compromise.
• Privacy-Focused: The use of k-Anonymity for password checking demonstrates a commitment to user privacy.
• Community-Driven: The project relies heavily on donations and community contributions.
• Limited Support: Don t expect traditional customer service; rely on the website, blog, Twitter, and documentation for support.
• API for Developers: The API allows for widespread integration of breach checking into other applications and services.