There are many ways you can be affected by data breaches in your daily life, whether you’re on the business or consumer side of things, and it’s important to know how to prevent and protect yourself from them. The first step in protecting your personal information from data breaches is understanding what they are, where they come from, and how to protect yourself. Read on below to learn more about what a data breach is, where you might encounter them, and what precautions you can take to stay safe.
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Definition of a data breach
A data breach is when someone has access to your private, usually personal, information. This information can be anything like your name, social security number, bank account number, or credit card information. When this happens you are at risk for identity theft. Identity theft happens when thieves steal your personal information with the intent of taking money out of your accounts or getting credit in your name. Identity theft can happen because someone steals your laptop which contains all your private information on it. You may not even know you have been a victim of identity theft until there are charges on your cards that don’t belong to you.
Common causes of data breaches
Data breaches are, unfortunately, common in today’s society. There are many ways in which you could be exposed to the risk of being hacked and having your personal information stolen. One way this could happen is by downloading an app that has been infected with malware. When installing an app, be sure it has not been tampered with or otherwise compromised before installing it on your device. Additionally, be aware of third-party sites that ask for personal information – they may have malicious intent and could use this information against you.
The consequences of a data breach
Data breaches are an unfortunate occurrence in the modern world. They can lead to stolen identities, fraud, and other issues. Here are some ways you can protect yourself:
- Use strong passwords that include both numbers and letters
- Use two-factor authentication when possible – Make sure your internet browser has cookies disabled for shopping carts
- Avoid using public wi-fi for sensitive transactions
- Keep anti-virus software on all devices
Tips to prevent data breaches
Make sure your software updates automatically. If you don’t have automatic updates, make it a priority to update your software as soon as possible when new updates are released. Keep your antivirus up-to-date. Be wary of phishing scams. Phishing scams typically take the form of an email that tricks you into clicking on something dangerous or disclosing personal information such as passwords or banking details.
Beware of using public Wi-Fi
Many people use public Wi-Fi when they are traveling or out and about. This can be dangerous because it’s not secure. The best way to stay safe is to avoid using public Wi-Fi, but if you have no other option, make sure that you’re only doing things like checking your email, reading the news, or watching videos on YouTube. It’s also a good idea to only access these sites via https connections. And of course, never do anything that involves entering any sensitive information!
Secure your network-connected devices
The best way to protect yourself from data breaches is by securing your network-connected devices. Hackers can take advantage of the vulnerabilities in these devices to steal personal information. This includes:
1) Mobile devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops;
2) Home routers – home wireless internet, wired connections;
3) Networked printers – printer model, scanner model;
4) Shared files and drives – USB sticks, external hard drives. Make sure that all of these are running updated operating systems with up-to-date patches installed.
Get smart about identifying phishing scams
Phishing scams are when thieves try to get information by masquerading as someone trustworthy in an email or phone call. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of phishing scams is to know what they look like. For instance, if you receive an email that says you’re overdue on your credit card payment, but it doesn’t look like the account statement you received earlier in the day, don’t click on any links in the message.
Change your passwords frequently
The first step in staying safe from data breaches is to change your passwords. This should be done every couple of months or so, but you should change it if it has been compromised. When changing your passwords, make sure you are using complex passwords that would be difficult for someone else to guess. You should also avoid using the same password for all of your accounts as this makes it easier for someone who compromises one account to then access all of the others.