Keep an eye on your inbox
Cyberattack notifications flood our inboxes weekly, sparking concern over the personal data that may have been compromised.
Recently, Adidas disclosed that some personal information of customers was breached, including passwords and credit card details, although their payment data was secure.
Another incident involved unauthorized access to personal data of thousands of legal aid applicants from England and Wales, dating back to 2010, which followed significant disruptions caused by a cyberattack on Marks & Spencer.
If you see news about a cybersecurity incident affecting a company you’ve interacted with, stay vigilant regarding your email. Companies typically reach out to affected customers with details on what occurred and suggested actions.
Sometimes, only specific customer segments or users from particular regions may be impacted.
In Adidas’ case, it appears that those who contacted customer service recently are primarily affected, which may exclude many others. Occasionally, communication will confirm that you are unaffected.
If your information could be compromised, you’ll usually receive guidance on corrective measures or a link to a FAQs page. In some instances, firms may offer free access to support services from cybersecurity experts or credit monitoring.
Change Your Password
If you’ve conducted transactions with an organization that faced a cyber incident, change your password for that account immediately.
Ensure your password is robust and not used across multiple accounts.
Experts recommend creating passwords that are at least 12 characters long, including a mix of numbers, capital and lowercase letters, and symbols. Avoid easily guessed information like pet names, birthdays, or favorite teams.
“A great strategy to enhance password security is to combine three random words into one.” says the National Cybersecurity Centre in the UK. For example, consider something like Hippo! PizzaRocket1.
“Consider using a password manager to generate and securely store unique, strong passwords,” advises online security firm Nordvpn.
Utilize Two-Step Authentication
Two-step verification adds an extra security layer to your email and other key online accounts.
This generally involves receiving a code via the Authenticator app or sent to your registered mobile number to grant access.
Enable two-step verification on all services that provide this feature.
Beware of Unsolicited Emails
Phishing emails often cite recent cyber events to lure unsuspecting targets who may be customers of the affected company.
Scammers might leverage personal information they’ve acquired to appear credible.
Avoid clicking on any link or attachment in emails, text messages, or social media posts unless you’re entirely certain of their legitimacy. These links can lead to phishing sites or include malware designed to steal your identity.
M&S advises potentially impacted customers that they “may receive emails, calls, or texts that appear to be from us.” “We will never reach out for your personal account details, such as your username or password.”
If an email claims to be from a business you interact with and you’re uncertain of its authenticity, ignore it or verify it through official contact channels.
Monitor Your Credit Record
If your personal data has been compromised, keep an eye on your credit report, which details your financial history and is used by lenders to judge your creditworthiness, in case someone attempts to open accounts in your name.
For instance, if a financial entity endures a cyber breach, the accessed data could include sensitive information such as your name, address, national insurance number, date of birth, bank account details, salary, and potentially your passport.
This information can be misused for identity fraud.
In the UK, the main credit reference agencies are Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, all providing various options to check your credit report for free or via subscription.
Credit Karma and Clear Score offer free lifetime access to your credit reports.
Experian provides an ID monitoring service, which checks your personal, financial, and credit information for suspicious activity. It’s a paid service, but if your data becomes compromised, they may cover the costs.
Be cautious if you suddenly find your applications for credit cards or loans being denied, or if you cease receiving bank statements for no clear reason despite a healthy credit score, as it may indicate identity theft.
More significantly, you may start receiving letters regarding debts that are not yours, or seeing transactions on your bank statements for items you didn’t purchase.
Many instances of financial fraud begin on social media and tech platforms, so remain vigilant, as scammers may possess details about you that can lend credibility to their deception.
The so-called “High Mama” scams have risen in recent years, where scammers impersonate relatives on platforms like WhatsApp, often pleading for urgent money transfers upon claiming to be locked out of their online banking.
Even with a sense of urgency, take the necessary time to verify the identity of anyone requesting funds.
Opt Out of Registration
When shopping online, retailers frequently prompt you to save payment card details for quicker checkout, but this may store your information with third-party services rather than just the retailer.
If you can avoid storing payment details across multiple sites, you reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your card information.
Source: www.theguardian.com
