When data breaches happen, it feels like you’re powerless: you get an email or letter saying your data’s been breached. Unfortunately, it’s become all too common. 

Data breaches affect banks, online platforms like Facebook, and even government agencies, exposing personal details like your address, SSN, or credit card info. While you can’t always prevent a business from getting hacked, you can take key steps afterward to protect yourself. Here are the top things to do to minimize any financial impact. 

1. Change Your Passwords 

The first thing? Change your passwords. Start with the account that sent you the breach notification, then change passwords for any other accounts that used the same one. This is why it’s smart to use unique passwords for each site. If you’re using the same password in multiple places, it puts more than one account at risk. A password manager can make it easier to create and store strong, unique passwords. 

2. Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) 

MFA is your friend. It keeps accounts safe even if a password is stolen. Enable it for the breached service and for other logins wherever possible. MFA (also known as two-factor authentication) can add extra security with options like: 

• Text messages 

• Authentication apps 

• Security keys 

3. Check Your Bank Accounts 

If payment card details were exposed, keep an eye on your bank accounts for the next few weeks to spot any suspicious activity. It’s also a good idea to let your bank know about the data breach; they can issue you a new card if needed and guide you through additional steps to protect yourself from fraud. 

4. Freeze Your Credit 

To keep thieves from opening credit in your name, contact the three main credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to freeze your credit. You can do this easily on their websites, adding an extra layer of protection. 

5. Carefully Review the Breach Notification 

It’s important to understand exactly what’s been exposed and how it might affect you. Take a close look at the notification and check for updates on the company’s website. Key things to watch for: 

• The type of data exposed (passwords, payment info, etc.) 

• Any remedies the company is offering, like credit monitoring 

• Instructions on how to secure your account 

Keep checking back for updates; companies often learn more about the breach over time. 

6. Get Solid Cybersecurity Protection 

Strengthen your device and network security. Here are a few simple tools you can use to boost your defenses: 

• Antivirus/anti-malware software 

• DNS filtering to block malicious sites 

• Email spam filtering to reduce phishing 

Using a VPN is also helpful, especially on public Wi-Fi. A VPN makes your online activity more private and can be used on both computers and mobile devices. 

7. Watch Out for Phishing Scams 

Data breaches often expose email addresses, which can lead to more phishing emails. Be extra cautious with unexpected emails since today’s phishing scams can be very convincing. To stay safe, follow these tips: 

• Hover over links to see where they lead 

• Visit websites directly instead of clicking links in messages 

• Be cautious of unknown senders 

• Look out for phishing attempts on social media and SMS too 

• When in doubt, double-check with an official source 

8. Keep Software and Systems Updated 

Hackers exploit unpatched vulnerabilities, which often occur when software and devices aren’t updated. Make sure you’re keeping everything up to date—this includes operating systems, apps, routers, printers, and even smart devices. Consider automating updates to stay protected without the hassle. 

Managed Security Services You Can Trust 

With managed services, we can help you stay secure at work and home. Looking to strengthen your device security? We’d be happy to go over options with you. 

Contact us today to discuss how we can help secure your devices!

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.