When it occurs, you feel helpless. You receive an email or letter from a company informing you that your data has been compromised. Unfortunately, it’s a situation that happens all too frequently nowadays.
Data breaches occur at banks, online platforms like Facebook, and e-commerce stores. In addition, governments are also vulnerable. As a result, sensitive information such as your address, SSN, and credit card details can be exposed to criminals.
While a business being hacked is beyond your control, there are crucial actions you can take afterwards. Below, we’ve outlined the key steps to follow. These measures can help reduce potential financial losses.
Change Your Passwords
The first thing you should do is update your passwords. Start by changing the password for the service that notified you of the breach. Then, update passwords for any other accounts that use the same login credentials.
This is why it’s considered best practice to use unique passwords for each site. Many people fall into the habit of reusing passwords across multiple accounts, which puts more than just the compromised one at risk. Using a password manager can help you generate strong, unique passwords for each site. You only need to remember one master password to access all the others.
Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, even if a hacker has obtained your password. Start by enabling MFA for the compromised service, and then activate it for all other accounts where available. MFA is also known as two-factor authentication or two-step verification.
Common forms of MFA are:
- Text message
- Authentication app
- Security key
Check Your Bank Accounts
If your payment card details were compromised, monitor your bank accounts closely for several weeks to detect any fraudulent charges. If necessary, report the breach to your bank and request a replacement card.
Inform your bank about the third-party data breach to protect yourself from being held liable for fraudulent charges. It’s important to take proactive action. Your bank can guide you on the necessary steps to prevent fraud.
Freeze Your Credit
Cybercriminals often sell stolen personal information, which can be used to open credit accounts in your name. Reach out to the three major credit agencies, as they offer options to freeze your credit for protection. You can easily do this through their websites.
The three credit agencies are:
- Equifax
- Experion
- TransUnion
Carefully Review the Breach Notification
It’s crucial to understand the full extent of how the data breach may affect you. Carefully review the notice you received and check for any updates on the company’s website.
These are the things you should be looking for:
- The type of data exposed (passwords, card numbers, etc.)
- What reparations the company is making (e.g., credit monitoring)
- Any instructions given to secure your account
Make it a habit to check the company’s website regularly. Often, they may not immediately know the full scope of the breach. By returning later, you might discover that additional sensitive data was also exposed.
Get Good Cybersecurity Protections
Ensure your device and network are secure. There are several easy-to-use tools available to enhance the security of your personal devices, including:
- A good antivirus/anti-malware program
- DNS filtering to block malicious sites
- Email spam filtering for phishing
Another effective security measure is using a VPN, which helps conceal your online traffic. This is particularly useful when connecting to public Wi-Fi. VPNs are user-friendly and can be used on both computers and mobile devices.
Be on the Lookout for Phishing Scams
Email addresses are frequently exposed in data breaches, which can lead to an increase in phishing emails. Phishing attempts are becoming more convincing, as criminals now have access to AI tools. As a result, phishing emails can often be difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones.
Stay ultra-aware of any unexpected emails. Follow best practices to avoid becoming a phishing victim:
- Hover over links to see them
- Go to websites directly. Don’t click email or SMS links
- Beware of unknown senders
- Watch for phishing on social media and text messages
- When in doubt, double check through an official source
Make Sure to Update Software & Systems
Hackers often take advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities, which typically arise from neglecting to keep software up to date.
Be sure to update your device’s operating system, along with all apps and software. Also, update the firmware for your routers, printers, and smart devices.
With the numerous updates required for our electronics, automating them is an effective way to ensure you’re consistently protected.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.