A data breach is when an unauthorized party gains access to your personal data. This can happen when you least expect it, which is why it’s important to know how to find out if you’ve been affected by a data breach.
Keep reading to find out how to tell if you’re a victim of a data breach, and what you can do next.
How to Tell if You’ve Been Breached
There are a few tell-tale signs that you may have been the victim of a data breach.
First, check your inbox for any suspicious emails or messages. If you see anything that looks odd, delete it immediately.
You should also keep an eye out for unusual activity on your credit card or bank account statements. If you see any charges that you don’t recognize, chances are your information has been compromised.
Finally, keep tabs on your personal information. If you receive any calls or emails asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, or other sensitive information, it’s likely that someone is trying to scam you.
If your bank or other institutions call asking for your personal information, don’t give it to them. First ask them who they are and how you can reach them through a known public number for their institution.
Remember it is fairly easy for criminals to change their caller ID and make it seem they are calling from your bank.
What To Do Next
If you think you may have been the victim of a data breach, the first thing you should do is reach out to your financial institutions and alert them of the situation, right away without delay. They will then be able to take steps to protect your accounts.
You should also change all of your passwords, both on your financial accounts and on any other accounts where you may have used the same password.
This is also a good time to institute a better password system for your personal passwords. You should never use the same password anywhere. All passwords should be highly complex and unique. We live in a new world and this type of protection is now necessary.
And finally, make sure to keep an eye on your credit report for any irregular activity.
A data breach can be a really scary thing. But by being proactive and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim.
If you think you may have been breached, reach out to your financial institutions and change all of your passwords right away.
And finally, keep an eye on your credit report for any unusual activity.
Get Protected Today
When it comes to cybersecurity, simultaneous offense and defense is key.
Rapid detection of threats means better odds at preventing a major breach and safeguarding your assets from exploitation.
Skilled cyber criminals have been known to hide in networks for weeks or longer. As they sit in wait, changing, destroying or stealing valuable data while evading detection, no one may be none the wiser until it’s too late.
A threat can turn into an absolute nightmare for a business if not stomped out quickly.