Counter Cybercriminal Strategies to Secure Your Information

Learn how to protect yourself from cybercriminal activities by checking data breaches and monitoring your personal information.

Sl;DR: Cyber breaches are everywhere leaving people worried their information is at risk. But you’re not powerless. Check if your data has been exposed, update passwords, avoid reusing them, enable 2FA/MFA, keep your software updated, and use safer payment methods like PayPal when shopping online. Cybercriminals go after easy targets, and these small habits make you harder to hit. 

In today’s ever-connected world, we frequently hear about hacks, ransomware attacks, and data breaches that leave many people receiving alerts about their compromised information. For instance, Petro-Points members in 2023 discovered that an unauthorized party had accessed their basic contact information. Similarly, in February, Indigo experienced a ransomware attack, impacting current and former employees’ data. These incidents can leave individuals feeling helpless, but cybersecurity experts advise that there are steps they can take to protect themselves and prepare for future breaches.

Practices to thwart Cybercriminals

  • One important step is to check if your data has been breached, even if you haven’t gotten a warning. If your credit card information is involved, contact the company and credit reporting agencies right away. Many companies also offer free credit monitoring after a breach, which is smart to request for your children too, since their information can be targeted.
  • Changing passwords for affected accounts is another key step. Don’t reuse passwords across multiple sites, as hackers often take advantage of this. Using a secure password manager or creating unique, hard-to-guess hints can help. Experts suggest basing passwords on something personal but not obvious, rather than names or birthdays.
  • Keep your software up to date and enable two-factor (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. While 2FA adds an extra step, it greatly improves security by asking for a code at login. Over half of Americans and Canadians now use 2FA.
  • Finally, for online shopping, consider using services like PayPal instead of entering your credit card directly. This keeps your card details safer and less likely to be exposed.

Staying proactive 

While these recommendations seem common sense, adhering to them can protect you from cyber threats. Cybercriminals often target easy prey, so being proactive about your cybersecurity can deter them from targeting you. Embracing these practices empowers individuals to take control of their digital security, ensuring they are more secure than the next potential target.

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