Message from Apple on Phone about Password data breach - questions

Your last reply was lost when the bot-generated (incorrect) reply was deleted, but I saw it in the notification:

Thank you very, very much! This may be a dumb question, but how do I verify the message is genuine and not a phishing attempt? I'm changing a few PWs on my computer, not on my phone. Not clicking anything that points to changing the PW on the phone...

It is not genuine if it has a link or a phone number in it. And Apple never sends email, except things like notifications of a new post in the forum thread you are posting or a new product announcement; and Apple NEVER sends text messages.

And if in doubt, you can ask here in Apple Support Communities or by contacting Apple directly. Here is some excellent guidance from Apple Support→Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams

BTW, Apple has never had a data breach. Individual accounts have been hacked or phished, but Apple’s servers are (so far) secure. As are Google’s and Microsoft’s. All 3 have large cybersecurity departments that constantly try to break in to their own and their competitors systems, and all of them share data. Many of Apple’s device vulnerabilities were originally identified by Google, and vice versa. There is also an elite “white hat” hacking industry that checks for chinks in the armor of major web providers. They do it because the “big 3” pay huge bounties to anyone who reports a previously unknown vulnerability. $250,000 or more sometimes. Here is a list of potential rewards→https://security.apple.com/bounty/categories/

One reason is to make it more profitable to report a vulnerability than what could be gained by taking advantage of the vulnerability.

If you are wondering why there are vulnerabilities, it’s because cybersecurity is not a castle wall that you build once that can keep out everyone forever; it is a constant arms race.

Apple does not send any messages like you describe, so it is a scam; they are hoping you will log in to their website and give away your passwords, or buy some useless app.

Apple DOES monitor for compromised passwords, but they don’t send messages. Open the Passwords app and scroll through it; any compromised passwords will be flagged.

You can also use https://haveibeenpwned.com where you can check for compromised user names and passwords.

Change any compromised passwords, and let Passwords or other password vaults generate strong passwords. You don’t have to remember them; the password app will do that for you, and fill it in.

BTW, there are gigantic data breaches all the time, which is why 2 factor authentication is a must in the current state of the online environment. Even better, switch to Passkeys instead of passwords for sites that support it, and physical security keys for really critical accounts. And use Authenticator apps, such as Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator for sites that support 3rd party authentication. Only use passwords for logins that are not important.

Have a great day!