Malware Support

Contents

• What is a data breach?

• How do I protect against data breaches?

• Can TotalVPN stop data breaches?

• Why do I see my email in a breached service I never signed up to?

What is a data breach?

A data breach is when personal information from a website or company is exposed or stolen and shared online. This can happen when:

• A website is hacked

• Information is leaked or accidentally made public

Think about all the websites you've signed up to and the details you've shared, such as your email address or password. If that information falls into the wrong hands, it can be misused.

For example: If your email address is exposed, you may receive more spam or scam emails. If your password is exposed, the risk is more serious. Criminals may try to use that password to access your accounts.

This is especially risky if you reuse the same password on multiple websites. One leaked password could give access to several of your accounts, including important ones like email or banking.

What should you do?

• Change your password straight away if it's been exposed

• Avoid reusing the same password across different sites

Using a password manager can help you safely create and store unique passwords for each account.

TotalVPN's data breach alerts help you stay informed, so you can take action quickly and keep your accounts secure.

How do I protect against data breaches?

The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and take action when needed.

TotalVPN helps by alerting you if your details appear in a data breach, so you can respond quickly.

Here are some simple steps to stay protected:

• Turn on data breach alerts with TotalVPN

• Check if your email has been exposed in past breaches

• Change your password if it has been exposed

• Avoid reusing the same password across different websites

A password manager helps you:

• Create strong, unique passwords for every account

• Store them safely

• Log in easily without needing to remember them

This means if one account is affected, your other accounts stay protected. Check out TotalVPN's Password Manager.

Not all data breaches include passwords. Sometimes other details are exposed, such as:

• Email address

• Phone number

• Name or date of birth

If this happens, you may notice more spam emails, calls, or messages. Be cautious of unexpected messages and avoid clicking unknown links.

If your bank or card details are involved:

• Contact your bank straight away

• They can cancel your card and help prevent fraud

Can TotalVPN stop data breaches?

No, TotalVPN cannot stop data breaches from happening.

Data breaches usually occur when a website or company is hacked and customer information is stolen. This happens outside of your device, so no app can prevent it completely.

While we can't stop a breach, TotalVPN helps protect you from the damage it can cause.

We do this by:

• Alerting you if your details appear in a data breach

• Guiding you on what to do next (like changing your password)

• Helping block dangerous websites linked to scams

When a data breach is discovered, security teams identify the exposed information and make it possible for services like TotalVPN to notify users.

The sooner you know, the sooner you can act, and reduce the risk.

Why do I see my email in a breached service I never signed up to?

It can be confusing to find your details in a data breach linked to a service you don't remember using, but there are several common and legitimate reasons why this happens. One of the simplest explanations is that you did sign up, but forgot. Over time, people create countless accounts across websites, apps, and even offline forms. Years later, it's easy to lose track of where your information was shared.

Another major factor is that personal data is often shared, sold, or reused. Many services collect user data and distribute it to partners or third parties, sometimes outlined in terms and conditions that most people don't read. This means your information can end up in places you've never directly interacted with.

Company changes also play a role. Businesses frequently rebrand, pivot, or merge with others. If you signed up to one service, it may later become part of a different company, making it seem unfamiliar when a breach occurs under a new name. Similarly, acquisitions can transfer your data between organizations. If one company buys another, user accounts are often included in the deal, which can lead to your details appearing in a breach tied to a company you don't recognize.

Finally, it's possible that someone else used your email address, either by mistake (a typo during sign-up) or intentionally. Many platforms don't strictly verify ownership of email addresses, allowing accounts to be created using someone else's details.