Data Breach 101: Actions to Take After a Breach
Category
Awareness, Guides
Risk Level
Data breaches are a significant concern here in the digital age. With technology advancing rapidly, hackers have been using various methods to gain sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals, organizations, and you.
The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported that over 422.1 million victims were impacted by a data breach in 2022 alone. Remember when we talked about Facebook, Marriott, easyJet, and J.Crew’s data breaches in past years? We can expect that data breaches will continue to be a leading concern for everyone. Therefore, many companies are investing in advanced security protocols to prevent data breach incidents - but what can you do as an individual to minimize the damage caused by these breaches and build a more secure future?
"My data was breached. Now what do I do?"
Here are some actions you can take after a data breach to safeguard your personal information and prevent further harm.
❯ Change your password(s)
It is crucial to take immediate action and update all of your impacted passwords. Cybersecurity experts advise against using the same password for multiple accounts as this could leave you more vulnerable to further attacks and identity theft. Instead, creating unique passwords for each account with a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols can help protect your personal information from hackers. Consider using a password manager to store and keep track of your credentials. They can even help generate secure passwords for you!
❯ Initiate Two-factor authentication(2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the best ways to secure your data before and after a breach. It adds an additional layer of security by requiring someone to provide two forms of verification to access their accounts. This could include something you know, such as a password, and something that you have, like your cellphone.
❯ Avoid Scams
Data breaches may reveal information about you to hackers that can be used to tailor scams to seem more legitimate, such as schools you have attended, clubs you are a part of, or even what bank you use. It is important to be vigilant when it comes to suspicious calls, emails (phishing), and texts (smishing) that pretend to be from Banks or other service accounts. These scams can often lead you to disclose even more personal information, such as additional passwords, credit card numbers, or even your Social Security number. It is important not to respond directly in any way if you receive an email or text from an unknown source. If something does seem suspicious, contact your financial institution or service account provider directly using trusted, publicly available contact information.
❯ Freeze your credit
If you are experiencing identity theft, it is important to take immediate action. Consider contacting all of the credit bureaus and request a credit freeze. This will stop anyone from creating new credit accounts in your name without your permission. Additionally, you should contact the credit bureaus and report any fraudulent activity on your account so that they can investigate further and help restore any damage done to your credit score.
❯ Monitor your bank accounts and reports
Paying close attention to your financial accounts is important following a data breach that has impacted you. If you notice any suspicious activity, it is essential that you report this activity immediately to your financial institution. This could be anything from unauthorized transactions to withdrawals. Reporting these activities quickly and accurately will help ensure that any fraudulent activities are stopped before they cause further damage or loss.
"What else do I need to know?"
Last but not least, if you ever experience a data breach, it's important not to panic. Instead, take all the appropriate actions listed above, such as changing your passwords, checking for suspicious activity on any accounts that may have been compromised, and contacting your financial institutions. If you confirm that your data is exposed or stolen, report the matter to law enforcement or other relevant authorities immediately so they can take the necessary steps to protect you and others from further damage.
Finally, if you’re worried about staying on top of the latest data breaches, subscribe to the ACT Digest today so the latest cybersecurity news, and how you can protect yourself, arrive in your inbox right on time.
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