{"id":51011,"date":"2016-07-01T12:03:12","date_gmt":"2016-07-01T19:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mcafee.com\/?p=51011"},"modified":"2025-08-15T05:15:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T12:15:27","slug":"companies-reset-passwords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/companies-reset-passwords\/","title":{"rendered":"Going The Extra Mile: Pandora, Facebook, and Netflix Ask Users to Reset Passwords"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a good sign when businesses take the initiative to protect consumers\u2019 online safety. Not only does it allow customers to feel secure using their services, but it also facilitates positive change. When one business takes an extra step to protect users, industry security standards are advanced. The envelope is pushed for other organizations, who in turn adopt better security practices themselves. It\u2019s a win-win.<\/p>\n

When Pandora, Facebook, Netflix, and others recently asked users to reset passwords, a ripple effect began. That\u2019s because they did so even though their own accounts weren\u2019t breached \u2013 signaling a more proactive approach to security. It may be a small step for each of these businesses, but it\u2019s a giant leap for consumer safety.<\/p>\n

In the case of Pandora, the story started when the music-streaming company discovered 117 million LinkedIn credentials<\/a> leaked. They didn\u2019t simply sit back and bask in the relief that it didn\u2019t happen to them. Instead, they began to dig through the data dump to find exposed individuals who were also Pandora customers. Their reasoning was wise: people often use the same password across multiple services. Cybercriminals could simply enter those LinkedIn email and password combinations into Pandora. The quick-thinking security approach? Ask users to change their passwords<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, Pandora isn\u2019t the only company that\u2019s forward-thinking with user safety. Facebook and Netflix<\/a> also asked users to change passwords in light of recent data dumps from other services. Now, it\u2019s clear companies have generally been more sensitive to cybersecurity concerns lately. Judging by all signs, this trend seems likely to continue. The wait-until-it-happens approach to user safety is, hopefully, nearing its end.<\/p>\n

Everyone can enjoy this news. Businesses should<\/em> be more proactive about user safety. In the case of data breaches, it\u2019s great to hear companies are scanning leaked user details and cross-referencing them with their own databases. This proactivity is something to be praised among the security community. With time, tech companies can develop even more pre-emptive security protocols \u2013 keeping us increasingly safe in the future.<\/p>\n

How to Protect Yourself from Data Breaches<\/h2>\n

Of course, we can\u2019t just rely on proactive companies to keep our accounts secure. There are security measures we, as individuals, can take as well, to stay protected.<\/p>\n