Follow These Steps to Protect Your Data After a Cyberattack
Security breaches suck. Unfortunately, they are quite common. According to The Washington Post , the latest high-profile ransomware attack hit Dish and its subsidiaries, Sling TV and Boost Mobile, six weeks ago, and customers are still having customer support issues. While the company has not confirmed if any sensitive user information was stolen, we do know that at least some data was stolen . If there is a lack of clarity in such situations, it is best to assume that your data has been compromised and take steps to protect yourself.
Watch for suspicious activity
We all receive spam messages on a daily basis, but after a data breach, keep a close eye on them. If you notice text messages or emails informing you about creating accounts or opening credit cards that you know are not legal, it could be a red flag that someone is abusing your stolen information.
At the same time, fake account creation messages are also a phishing tactic, so if you’re suspicious, proceed with caution. Never click on any links or download any attachments in strange emails or texts. Always visit a trusted organization’s website by entering the address in the URL bar yourself and call them directly to resolve any issues with fraudulent accounts. Tightrope walking is kind of weird, but it will help protect you in the long run.
Keep track of your credit report
One of the big risks in such cases is identity theft, and keeping track of your credit is a great way to spot suspicious behavior before it goes too far. By tracking your credit report, you can immediately see if someone has opened a credit card on your behalf.
You also don’t have to pay to check your credit reports . In the past, you could check your credit reports once a year for free. But from now until the end of 2023, you can get weekly checkups for free. This applies to three large credit agencies – Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You can request your credit score through AnnualCreditReport.com .
Freeze your loan
If you feel like your data is at risk, or you just want to err on the side of caution, consider freezing your credit. It’s actually easy to do , and it won’t hurt your credit score or jeopardize your reputation with creditors.
A temporary credit freeze blocks most activities that require someone to take your credit, such as opening a new credit card or applying for a bank loan. You can temporarily lift the loan freeze to do it yourself, so you don’t have to feel cut off from your financial goals by putting in place a freeze. It also won’t affect the accounts you currently use, which means you’re free to use your existing credit cards.
Change your passwords (and start using a password manager)
When you find out that a company like Dish has been hacked, you will probably consider changing your password. But it’s good practice to also change the passwords of other accounts, especially if you’ve used this combination of compromised password and email address before. Ideally, you shouldn’t do this, but I’m a realist – I know that most of us reuse passwords. If you have accounts with the same password as the hacked company, change those passwords as well, as hackers can break into your accounts using passwords obtained from hacks elsewhere. If they now have your Dish password, they will try to use it for your other valuable accounts. And to prevent this from being a problem in the future, start using a password manager to keep track of all logins to your account. ( Here are seven we recommend. )
Set up two-factor authentication
Let’s say hackers take your stolen password and try to log into your account that uses that password. If you haven’t already changed it, they will automatically have access to the account, unless you’re using two-factor authentication (or 2FA).
2FA requires both your password and a code to log into your account. This code can be sent to your phone via SMS ( though not the most secure method ), generated with a 2FA authentication app such as Google Authenticator, or with a physical security key . You must set up 2FA for any accounts that support it, including accounts that have previously been compromised.
Complain
These tips are useful for protecting your interests in the future, but they cannot hold companies accountable. However, you can file a complaint: you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau ( here is a specific link for food complaints ), the Federal Trade Commission for violations of your privacy, and the Federal Communications Commission for violations related to television and telephone companies.
There is no guarantee that complaints will do anything, but they can help you in two ways. First, you alert these agencies to the problem, and second, you start a paper trail that will be useful to you in the event that a lawsuit is brought against the company that harmed you.