Don’t Let Your Data Be Compromised – Cybersecurity Tips After the “Mother of All Breaches”

Cybercrime in 2024 is off to a historic start, as we just saw one of the largest data breaches ever, compromising billions of records and exposing confidential data. This most recent attack shows that bad actors are targeting not only large enterprises or government organizations but also smaller businesses and individuals. It’s a sobering reminder to be conscious about what security measures you currently have in place for your organization, where you can improve, and what to do if your data is leaked in a future “Mother of All Breaches” type of attack.

Passwords – Don’t Get Personal

Time and time again, we’re told to keep passwords unique for every online account – personal and professional. Now more than ever, it is also critical to have strong passwords that mix capital letters with special characters and do not incorporate any personal details that could be easy to guess. Remember, if your password is too simple and you have it across multiple accounts, that means that when one account is hacked, the rest of your accounts using that password will be vulnerable and can be compromised in a short period of time. This can result in phishing messages sent to friends or even getting you locked out of your accounts.

MFA All Day, Every Day

MFA (multi-factor authentication) is an added layer of protection to your accounts that’s simple to enable in your settings and can go a long way. It requires users to verify their identity through (you guessed it) multiple factors, whether that’s a code sent via text or biometric authorization. While this is an added step for getting into your banking, social media, or email accounts, it can save your data from a potential hack in the long-run and keep your confidential information safe. 

Your Data Has Been Breached – Now What?

If you find yourself in a situation where your data is compromised, there are a few simple steps to take to protect yourself. First and foremost, change your passwords on the sites that were compromised. Then, enable multi-factor authentication to help prevent your data from susceptibility if a breach were to happen again. Finally, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your bank accounts and credit cards to monitor for suspicious activity. If you notice any unfamiliar purchases or activity, contact your financial institution to assist with next steps.

This latest breach is a reminder to follow proper security protocols and stay up to date on cybersecurity news. Check out our Sharp cybersecurity web page if you’re interested in learning more, or to schedule a Sharp Technology Review.