Jan 74 min read

Protect Yourself: 8 Steps to Take When You Get a Notice Your Data Was Breached

When it happens, you feel powerless. You get an email or letter from a business saying someone breached your data. It happens all too often today.

Data breaches happen at banks, online sites like Facebook, and e-commerce stores. Not only that, but governments are also victims. This leaves things like your address, SSN, and credit card details exposed to thieves.

In Orlando, and beyond, a business getting hacked is something you have little control over. But you can take important steps afterward. We’ve outlined the most important things to do below. These steps can help you mitigate the financial losses

Change Your Passwords

The very first thing you should do is change your passwords. Start by updating the password for the service that sent you the breach notification. Then, immediately change it for any other accounts where you’ve used the same password.

This highlights why it’s so important to use unique passwords for every site. Many people fall into the habit of reusing the same password across multiple accounts. Unfortunately, this means a single breach can put several of your logins at risk.

To make managing strong, unique passwords easier, consider using a password manager. With a password manager, you only need to remember one master password to securely access all the others.

Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Multifactor authentication can keep accounts secure, even if a hacker stole the password. Enable it for the breached service. Then, ensure you have MFA activated for all other logins, where possible. MFA is also called two-factor authentication or two-step verification.

Common forms of MFA are:

· Text message

· Authentication app

· Security key

Check Your Bank Accounts

If payment card details were breached, check your bank accounts. You’ll want to monitor them closely for several weeks for fraudulent charges. Report the breach to your bank to have them issue you a new card, if needed.

In Orlando, and elsewhere, it’s important to notify your bank about the third-party data breach. Doing so can help protect you from being held responsible for fraudulent charges. It’s always a good idea to get ahead of potential issues. Your bank can then guide you through the appropriate steps to avoid fraud.

Freeze Your Credit

Online criminals will often sell breached personal details. These details can enable someone to take out credit in your name. Contact the three credit agencies. They each have ways to freeze your credit to protect you. You can do this right on their websites.

The three credit agencies are:

· Equifax

· Experian

· TransUnion

Carefully Review the Breach Notification

At Wyrenet Technologies in Orlando, we believe it’s important to understand exactly how a data breach may impact you. Review the notice you received carefully. Additionally, check for 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

Regularly check the company’s website. Often, they don’t immediately know how far-reaching the breach is. You may check back later and discover that other types of sensitive data were exposed.

Get Good Cybersecurity Protections

Make sure you protect your device and network. There are some simple tools you can use to beef up personal device security. These include:

· A good antivirus/anti-malware program

· DNS filtering to block malicious sites

· Email spam filtering for phishing

Another good protection you can use is a VPN. This helps mask your traffic. It is especially helpful if you’re using a public Wi-Fi. VPNs are easy to use. You can use VPNs for both computers and mobile devices.

Be On the Lookout for Phishing Scams

Emails are often exposed in data breaches. This means you may receive an uptick in phishing emails. Phishing is very convincing since criminals have AI at their disposal. Phishing emails often are hard to spot from the real thing.

At Wyrenet Technologies, we encourage you to 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 exploit unpatched vulnerabilities. How do you get unpatched vulnerabilities? Most times it’s from failing to keep software updated.

Make sure to update your device operating system. Update all apps or software on your devices. Update firmware for routers and printers. Update firmware for smart devices.

There are so many updates we need to do with our electronics. Automating your updates is a good way to stay protected. At Wyrenet Technologies, we can help you set up automated updates and ensure your systems stay secure. Our managed IT services can proactively monitor and manage your devices, keeping them up to date and protected from vulnerabilities.

Managed Security Services You Can Count On

Managed services can keep you protected at work and home. Need help improving device security? We’ll be happy to discuss our options.