If your data has been leaked, you’re not alone. Data breaches happen so often these days that they’ve become almost routine.
That’s bad news because no one wants their personal information exposed. But there’s a silver lining — since so much data is out there, individual data points become less valuable.
Data brokers — companies that collect and sell personal information — thrive in this environment.
But the good news is that you can take steps to reduce the impact of a data breach and protect your privacy. Let’s go over what you can do to take back control.
Steps to Protect Your Data After a Breach
Follow these steps to secure your information after a data breach:
- Change your passwords: Immediately update the password for the affected account and any other accounts using the same or similar credentials.
- Freeze your credit: If sensitive information like your Social Security number or address was leaked, freeze your credit with major credit bureaus to stop fraudsters from opening new accounts in your name.
- Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a code or other verification method.
- Remove personal information from data brokers: Use a data removal service to prevent your data from being shared or sold online.
- Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank accounts, credit reports, and Social Security activity for any unusual behavior.
1. Change Your Passwords
A large number of people reuse passwords across different accounts, and that’s a major problem. If your password is leaked in a breach, hackers can try it on your other accounts too.
Here’s what to do:
- Change the password on the breached platform.
- Update any other accounts that use the same or similar passwords.
- Create unique passwords that are at least 14 characters long and use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Remembering complex passwords can be difficult, but password managers can help you generate and store strong passwords securely.
2. Freeze Your Credit
If fraudsters get hold of your details, they could open new credit accounts in your name. This could lead to serious financial losses — the average victim loses over $3,000.
Fraudsters only need a few key details to apply for a credit card:
- Full name
- Birth date
- Social Security number
- Address
- Annual income
- Employer information
If a breach exposes this data, freezing your credit is the best defense. Freezing your credit prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. You can do this for free through the major credit bureaus:
- Experian
- TransUnion
- Equifax
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords alone aren’t enough to protect your accounts. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to verify your identity with a second method, such as a code sent to your phone or email.
According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), MFA makes you 99% less likely to be hacked.
Here’s how it works:
- After entering your password, you’ll be asked to confirm your identity with a code or fingerprint.
- This extra step makes it much harder for hackers to break into your accounts.
Set up MFA on all your important accounts, especially for banking and social media.
4. Remove Your Personal Information from Data Brokers
A data breach is a single event, but the leaked data can circulate on the dark web and among data brokers for years.
Data brokers buy and sell personal information like:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Current and past addresses
- Property ownership details
- Employment history
- Public records
- Family connections
This allows hackers and identity thieves to target you long after the initial breach.
Luckily, services like Incogni can help you remove your data from both public and private data brokers.
Incogni stands out because it targets private data brokers — the ones operating behind closed doors, which most other services ignore.
Signing up is simple, and once you set it up, Incogni will automatically send removal requests to over 220 data brokers and keep following up to make sure your data stays out of their databases.
5. Monitor Your Accounts for Identity Theft
Identity theft isn’t always immediate. Hackers may hold onto your information for months or even years before using it.
Stay alert by regularly monitoring your:
- Bank statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Credit reports for accounts or loans you didn’t open.
- Social Security accounts for unexpected activity.
- Mail for strange letters or bills.
- Email for suspicious updates or new account notifications.
Catching unusual activity early gives you the best chance to stop identity theft before it gets worse.
Take Action Now
A data breach can feel overwhelming, but taking these steps can help you regain control and protect your information.
By securing your accounts, freezing your credit, setting up MFA, and removing your data from broker databases, you can reduce the risk of long-term damage.
Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.