In our modern-day and age, data is everything. Your information is collected and stored online, and security is the number one concern for personal data as well as the data of customers and clients. That is exactly why a data breach can be so frightening. The most important thing to do after a data breach is to stay calm and contact the proper authorities. In addition, here are some tips for dealing with the aftermath.
1. Change Login Credentials
This one may seem obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people don’t do it! When your account is hacked, the people doing it were either able to bypass or figure out your username and password. If you even suspect someone is attempting to access your data, change your login credentials immediately and then alert the company. This will buy you time and hopefully save your data!
2. Check Credit Cards and Reports
Data breaches related to finances can be especially nerve-wracking. You should immediately check your credit card accounts and recent reports for any suspicious activity. Even if none is found in the past, you should be on the lookout for any new purchases or activities. Report any potential breaches to the proper authorities as soon as they occur, and make sure to keep a detailed list of what was bought or what new accounts were falsely opened. You may also need to temporarily freeze your accounts or deactivate your credit card. In many cases, it’s been reported that criminals actually wait weeks or months after a breach before using stolen information to give the victim time to stop watching out for it.
3. Initiate a Fraud Alert
Fraud alerts are simple alert systems that notify lenders and companies that you (and by extension your accounts) are the potential victim of fraud. There are three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Initiate a fraud alert with one of these companies, and the alert will be shared anytime someone attempts to open a new line of credit with your account. The lender will contact you directly to get permission, leaving the hackers without access to your credit account.
4. Stay Alert and Manage Your Documents with the Help of Professionals
The final tip is meant to help you rebuild your security and ensure that no breach of your data occurs ever again. Stay alert to any and all online activity related to your accounts, and check them frequently to ensure that suspicious activity will not go unnoticed. Whether you are one person trying to guard your data or a company protecting their customers, consider better document management to properly store and dispose of documents with essential information.
In addition, cybersecurity is an essential service that ranges from building your own secure network to preventing malicious attacks. Both cybersecurity and document management are services offered by LaserCycle USA, just one example of a professional company that can help you protect your data.
In a world where so much essential information is shared online, data breaches are terrifying. Luckily, there are so many professionals in the industry standing by to help you rebuild and protect yourself from online attacks.
