Technology
The email trick that reveals your hidden online accounts
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Most of us have created far more online accounts than we remember. Shopping sites, travel apps, rewards programs, forums and random services all ask for a quick sign-up. At the time, it feels harmless. Years later, those accounts are still sitting online, tied to your email address.
That matters more than you might think. Old accounts increase your digital footprint. They can also expose personal information if a company suffers a data breach. Fortunately, there is a simple way to uncover many of them in just a few minutes. The answer is already sitting in your inbox.
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Your email inbox keeps a hidden record of your accounts
Nearly every website sends a confirmation message when you create an account. That means your inbox quietly becomes a timeline of every service you joined.
11 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY IN 2025
Security experts say reviewing old account confirmation emails is one of the fastest ways to find services you no longer use. (Tempura/Getty Images)
Instead of trying to remember dozens of sites, you can search your email and let those messages reveal the accounts for you. In many cases, people discover accounts they forgot about years ago.
- Old shopping stores
- Unused travel sites
- Rewards programs
- Apps you downloaded once
The list can grow quickly once you start looking.
Step 1: Search your inbox for sign-up emails
Start by opening your email account and using the search bar. Try searching these phrases one at a time:
- Welcome
- Verify your email
- Confirm your account
- Create account
- Thanks for signing up
- Account created
These phrases appear in many sign-up emails. As a result, your inbox will often surface dozens of account confirmations. Scroll through the results and pay attention to the companies that appear. You may spot services you have not thought about in years.
Step 2: Scan the sender names
Next, look closely at the companies sending those messages. Many people quickly find accounts from:
- Old shopping sites
- Rewards programs
- Travel accounts
- Apps and services
Make a short list of accounts you no longer use. Even a few minutes of searching can reveal a surprising number. At this point, you have essentially built a cleanup checklist.
THINK YOUR NEW YEAR’S PRIVACY RESET WORKED? THINK AGAIN
Searching your inbox for common sign-up emails can reveal dozens of forgotten online accounts still tied to your email address. (Rawf8/Getty Images)
Step 3: Log in and delete the accounts
Once you identify a site, visit the official website directly rather than clicking links in old emails. Then look for account settings. Most platforms include an option such as:
- Account Settings
- Delete Account
- Close Account
If you cannot find it, contact the company’s support team and request removal. While it takes a little time, deleting unused accounts reduces the number of places storing your personal information.
Bonus trick: Search for password reset emails
There is another search that often reveals even more accounts. Look for these phrases in your inbox:
- Reset your password
- Password reset request
If those messages appear from a company, it usually means you created an account there at some point. People are often surprised by how many services show up during this search.
Another smart step to shrink your digital footprint
Closing old accounts helps reduce risk. However, your information may still exist in another corner of the internet. Data broker companies collect personal details from apps, websites and public records. They often build profiles that include addresses, phone numbers, browsing habits and more. After removing unused accounts, many people choose to use a data removal service that requests the deletion of those listings. That combination can dramatically reduce the amount of personal information floating around online.
FROM TIKTOK TO TROUBLE: HOW YOUR ONLINE DATA CAN BE WEAPONIZED AGAINST YOU
A quick inbox search using phrases like “Welcome” or “Verify your email” can uncover accounts you created years ago. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Digital clutter builds quietly over time. Every sign-up adds another account connected to your email address. The good news is that your inbox already holds the map to many of them. A few quick searches can reveal forgotten accounts that have been sitting online for years. Cleaning them up takes some effort, but the payoff is real. Fewer accounts mean fewer places where your personal information can leak or be exposed. So here is something worth thinking about.
If your inbox reveals dozens of forgotten accounts today, how many companies still have your personal information without you even realizing it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Sony’s AI graphics upscaling for PS5 Pro games is getting a big update tonight
Sony’s upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology is rolling out to several titles on the PS5 Pro, including Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Silent Hill 2, and more. Digital Foundry got a chance to test some of them and found that the “new upscaler delivers the kind of upgrade we were looking for from PS5 Pro.” Problems with shimmering, flickering, and other visual artifacts have been addressed, and they said it now delivers crisper and more consistent in-game graphics.
This is the first upgrade we’ve seen from AMD and Sony’s combined Project Amethyst work on improving the effect of rendering a game at a lower resolution, then using AI trained on graphics to analyze each frame and upscale it, delivering improved quality on the same hardware without reducing the framerate. The upgraded PSSR is included with the latest PS5 system software update, which will start rolling out “in phases” on March 17th at 1AM ET, and Sony says its improvements will also improve AMD’s next FSR update when that rolls out.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 will also get a patch with the PSSR update in the “coming weeks,” while CrimsonDesert will adopt the tech when the game launches on March 19th, according to Sony. You can also toggle the updated tech on or off for PS5 Pro games not on this list that already support PSSR, though Sony notes that “results may vary by title.”
Technology
Aether OS is a computer in a browser built for the AT Protocol
Aether OS puts a full-fledged desktop in your browser that ties directly into the AT Protocol. That means it connects to your Bluesky account and other public records. It offers a pretty full suite of apps, 42 in total, covering text editing, task management, and social media. There’s even a rudimentary tracker for making chiptunes, a DAW, and a video editor.
Of course, part of the appeal is also the cyberpunk good looks that draw obvious inspiration from The Matrix.
Right now, the project is in alpha, and there are a lot of rough edges. Documentation is also basically non-existent. So, if you get stuck trying to use an app, you’re kind of SOL. Oh, and nothing is encrypted or permissioned, so be careful what you store — it’s all publicly visible.
Technology
CarGurus breach linked to ShinyHunters exposes 12.4M records
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If you’ve ever searched for a car on CarGurus, your personal information could now be circulating online. A hacking group known as ShinyHunters has published what it claims are 12.4 million records taken from CarGurus, a popular auto shopping platform used by millions of people each month.
The leaked data includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses and even finance pre-qualification details. While most of the records were already exposed in past incidents, about 3.7 million are newly added to the pile. That means fresh data is now freely available for criminals to download.
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149 MILLION PASSWORDS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE CREDENTIAL LEAK
A hacker group known as ShinyHunters claims it leaked 12.4 million records linked to the car shopping platform CarGurus. (Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What you need to know about the CarGurus breach
The group behind the leak, ShinyHunters, published a 6.1GB file on Feb. 21, claiming it came from CarGurus. The file allegedly contains 12.4 million user records tied to the U.S.-based auto research and shopping platform CarGurus.
CarGurus operates in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., and its website attracts an estimated 40 million monthly visitors. It allows you to compare vehicles, contact sellers, and, in some cases, apply for financing.
According to Have I Been Pwned, which later added the dataset to its breach database, the exposed information includes email addresses, IP addresses, full names, phone numbers, physical addresses, account IDs, dealer details, subscription information and finance pre-qualification application data, along with outcomes.
Have I Been Pwned reports that about 70% of the data had already appeared in previous breaches. Roughly 3.7 million records are new. CarGurus has not released an official statement confirming the incident and did not respond to media requests for comment. ShinyHunters is known for leaking company data when ransom negotiations fail. The group has recently claimed attacks on major brands across telecom, retail, finance, and tech.
How it works and why it matters to you
ShinyHunters typically gains access by tricking employees, not by smashing through firewalls. In past cases, the group used phone calls or fake login pages to convince staff to hand over credentials. Once inside, attackers can quietly access cloud systems that store customer data.
In some campaigns, they also convinced employees to install malicious apps that granted access to customer databases. That means attackers could read stored information without triggering obvious alarms. If this dataset is legitimate, criminals now have detailed personal profiles tied to car shopping and financing activity, which is valuable.
Finance pre-qualification data is especially sensitive. Even if it does not include full Social Security numbers, it signals that you were actively sharing financial details. That makes you a prime target for follow-up scams, identity theft attempts and fake loan offers. Because the data is publicly available for download, it does not take much skill for criminals to start using it.
“We recently experienced a cybersecurity incident,” a CarGurus spokesperson told CyberGuy. “We promptly responded by securing the affected environment, and we are currently working with a leading cybersecurity firm to investigate. Based on the investigation to date, we believe the activity has been contained and limited in scope. Also, at this time, there are no indications that dealer data feeds, APIs, or core systems or products used by our consumers or dealer partners have been compromised. We remain fully operational, and our services continue without interruption. We will notify any affected individuals in accordance with applicable laws.”
DATA BREACH EXPOSES 400,000 BANK CUSTOMERS’ INFO
7 ways you can protect yourself from the CarGurus breach
Here’s what you can do right now to reduce your risk and stay ahead of potential scams tied to this leak.
1) Check if your email and passwords are compromised
To see if your email was affected, visit Have I Been Pwned at haveibeenpwned.com. Enter your email address to find out if your information appears in the CarGurus leak. When done, come back here for Step 2.
The exposed dataset reportedly includes names, emails, phone numbers, addresses and finance pre-qualification details. (Felix Zahn/Photothek via Getty Images)
2) Change your passwords immediately
Start with your most important accounts, such as email, medical and banking. Use strong, unique passwords with letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid predictable choices like names or birthdays. Never reuse passwords. One stolen password can unlock multiple accounts. A password manager makes this simple. It stores complex passwords securely and helps you create new ones. Many managers also scan for breaches to see if your current passwords have been exposed. Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords for every account and store them securely. That way, if one account is exposed, criminals can’t use the same password to access the rest of your accounts. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
3) Reduce your online exposure with a data removal service
You can also consider a personal data removal service. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
4) Turn on two-factor authentication
If CarGurus or your email provider offers two-factor authentication (2FA), enable it. This adds a second step, like a code sent to your phone, making it much harder for someone to access your account even if they have your password.
5) Watch for finance-related phishing scams
Be extra cautious with emails or texts about car loans, financing approvals, or dealership follow-ups. Do not click links in unsolicited messages. Instead, contact the company directly using the official contact details you find on their website. Also, use strong antivirus software to block malicious links and downloads that often follow phishing campaigns. If attackers use this leaked data to target you with infected attachments, antivirus protection adds another layer of defense.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
6) Monitor your credit reports
If you applied for financing, check your credit reports for unfamiliar inquiries or new accounts. Early detection can help you stop identity theft before it spirals. Consider placing a credit freeze if you see suspicious activity.
7) Consider identity theft protection
Identity theft protection services can monitor for unusual activity tied to your name, Social Security number, or financial accounts. They can alert you quickly if someone tries to open a new credit card in your name.
See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.
Security experts warn the leaked information could be used for phishing scams, fake loan offers and identity theft. (iStock)
Kurt’s key takeaway
This incident highlights a bigger issue than just one company. When platforms collect detailed financial and personal data, they become high-value targets. If the leaked dataset is authentic, millions of people who were simply shopping for a car now face increased risk of scams. CarGurus has not publicly confirmed a breach. Customers deserve clarity when sensitive financial application data may be involved. Silence only increases uncertainty.
Should companies that collect financing data be required to publicly confirm or deny breaches within a set timeframe? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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