What to Do After a Data Breach

Published on: September 18th, 2017

With such a heavy dependency on technology, it’s not uncommon to encounter a data breach or security threat. As past data breaches at large companies show, security attacks can happen to anyone, at any time. If you fear your sensitive information has been compromised, here’s what to do after a data breach.

What to Do After a Data Breach

Falling victim to a cybersecurity attack is stressful. With the following tips, you’ll have what you need to recover from a threat.

What Was Stolen

The internet is a massive space, and there are numerous ways that your information can be compromised. To start managing the aftermath of a data breach, determine exactly what information was stolen. Though any stolen data feels violating, there are varying degrees of severity of each stolen piece of information.

The most harmless information for hackers to steal is your name and address. Since this information is generally available with a quick Google search, this information is less severe. If your email address, credit or debit card number, or your date of birth are compromised, you should begin taking action to recover and protect yourself. For highly personal information such as your Social Security Number, important passwords (i.e., online banking), and credit or debit card security codes, you should take immediate action as these are the most severe data breaches.

Create New Passwords

For any online accounts that your fear were hacked, immediately change every password. Your new password should be something you have not used previously and should be something only you or other trusted individuals know. A strong password is unique, case sensitive, meaning it includes both upper and lower case letters and should include special characters or numbers.

If the website allows, consider a password that requires multiple-factor authentication. Accounts that require not only a password but also another confidential piece of information to access your page are significantly safer than traditional one-factor authentication sites.

Contact Professional Help

If your online banking system or credit or debit card numbers were stolen, you should immediately contact the service provider and inform them of the breach. Your accounts will likely be frozen, and any additional charges or activity will notify the providers.

If other sensitive information such as your SSN is stolen, you’ll need to file a report with your local police. Unfortunately, hackers can steal your identity with only a few vital pieces of information, and any threats to your security should be taken seriously. To learn more about identity theft, read about how you can protect yourself here.

Update Your Security System

Along with changing the passwords to your accounts, you should also make sure you’re running the most updated versions of your security programs. To maximize your computer’s safety, you should consider installing antivirus, spyware/malware, and firewall programs. Computer Troubleshooters recommends AVG Antivirus for these five reasons.

When you suffer from a data breach, you need to act fast to recover and protect your information. For expert computer and network security services, contact Computer Troubleshooters! We’ll guide you through online security threats and help protect your network security.