Data breaches have been rampant in recent years. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center , nearly 1,500 companies were affected by breaches in 2019 , resulting in more than 164 million sensitive data items like passports and social security numbers being leaked.
In our time, we feel very comfortable giving information to anyone who asks for it, which can prove quite damaging.
What are the consequences of my data theft?
The data that leaks and ends up in the hands of third parties can be used in various ways.
For example, someone who has your phone number can implement some dangerous practices like SIM-jacking, where someone takes control of your phone by transferring your number to a new SIM card.
Another example is when someone has stolen email and password, so they can access every account you have created with that address, including your banking information.
The more information a hacker about you, even details like your birthday and gender, the easier it is for them to create a fake version of you. And they can use it to open illegal accounts or credit card accounts or even sell it to other criminals online.
If you find that your data has been stolen, there are specific measures you must take, as closing your bank account and monitoring your credit card for suspicious transactions.
How will you protect your data?
Initially you should think twice before giving your details to any site or creating an account. Find out if it is safe and if it has been involved in a breach in the past.
Frequently research online on websites where you can see if your accounts have been compromised, such as Have I Been Pwned.
Use different and strong passwords for your accounts. For greater convenience, you can choose a good password manager.
