Do you use iCloud Keychain? Then it could be that you have received a notification in recent days stating that hacked passwords have been found.
iOS, iPadOS and macOS regularly checks your passwords to see if they are involved in a data breach. If this is the case, you will receive a warning about this, which means there is a high risk that these accounts will be hacked. Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac can help you re-secure your accounts.
iCloud Keychain
In the iCloud Keychain, all passwords from various websites and apps are stored via iCloud and synced with all your Apple devices. The advantage is that the login details are not stored on Apple’s servers, but locally on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. Using a secure connection, the data is synchronized in the event of changes or new components.
Users can access the iCloud Keychain on their iPhone and iPad through the app Institutions and then click the menu Passwords to select. On macOS you will find this information in the settings of Safari and directly in System settings below Passwords.
Keychain security advice
Since iOS 14, iPadOS and macOS Bug Sur, “Security Advisory” has been added to the password menu. This feature shows the passwords of all saved accounts that may be compromised for one reason or another. This may involve passwords that are easy to guess or passwords that have been made public on the internet through a data breach.
The overview clearly indicates with security warnings what the problem is with a specific account. This allows users to take immediate action to make the account more secure.
Notification of hacked passwords
Once iOS, iPadOS or macOS discovers hacked passwords or new security issues, you will be notified with a hacked password notification. You can also find a warning on the Safari home page.
This states that some of your passwords have been involved in a data breach, which means there is a high risk that these accounts will be hacked. Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac can help you re-secure your accounts.
Consult security advice
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
- Navigate to ‘Passwords’
- Log in with your access code
- Choose ‘Security advice’
On a Mac you can find this information via Safari ▸ Menu bar ▸ Safari ▸ Settings / preferences ▸ Passwords ▸ Security advice. Since macOS Monterey, you can also consult your passwords, including advice, via  ▸ System Settings ▸ Passwords ▸ Security Advice.
Check the overview and open a desired section. Follow the steps on the screen to change your login details if necessary.
Operation of data breach control
iOS, iPadOS or macOS compares all your saved passwords from the iCloud Keychain with a central database and checks whether they have been involved in an internet data breach. During this check, Safari uses special extra secure connections. This means that your saved password information is not visible to anyone, including Apple itself.
If your passwords are associated with a data breach, a security advisory message will appear that will inform you about this. A button will also be shown with which you can immediately change the password and generate a new complex password.