Introduction
In our increasingly digital world, our personal information is more vulnerable than ever. Our personal information is a cybercriminals treasure. No matter how careful you are in securing or not allowing your information entered into the internet. That does not mean you are totally safe. The Governments National Public Data (NPD) break-in has highlighted this fact, putting millions at risk of identity theft. Here’s what you need to know about this incident and how you can create personal identity protection in the event you need to shield yourself from its repercussions.
The Breach: What Happened?
At the beginning of 2024 and discovered in April, NPD, a company that manages big consumer data, was hacked by a group of hackers identified as “USDoD”. They did not only steal the listed individuals’ names and addresses but also their social security numbers, birth dates, and even drivers’ licenses. The information was discovered that it has gradually been transferred to the dark web, where it is now for sale to anyone who is willing to pay.
When Did It All Go Down?
The breach was disclosed in April 2024, although it may have actually begun long before that. By August, it was clear that this wasn’t just a minor leak; it was a flood, with news outlets saying that practically every American is now under threat.
How Did They Get In?
The hackers took advantage of the weaknesses in NPD’s digital defense system. Even though the exact story is not yet known, what is clear is that NPD’s security was not good enough. They might have used common tactics such as phishing or outdated systems that were not well-prepared for the latest cyber threats.
The Aftermath: Data for Sale
After the release, it did not take long for the information to spring up in clandestine online markets. Here, your identity is just a product’!’ It is ready to be used for fraudulent loans, credit applications, or other criminal activities.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
- Keep an Eye on Your Credit: Do not hesitate to review your credit reports from the big three bureaus any time you want as they are free of cost weekly. Be alert for anything which looks unfamiliar, for instance, unauthorized accounts.
- Freeze Your Credit: This is because you basically put a freeze on your credit file. Nobody can use your name to apply for new credit without you removing the freeze, which is a very simple online and free of charge.
- Set Fraud Alerts: To be on the safe side if an extreme freezing measure looks too extreme, you can set up fraud alerts instead. Companies will ask for your username, and when someone uses it to open credit, they will ask again to be sure it’s you.
- Strong Passwords and Extra Security: Make sure your online accounts are not the soft feat of a little hacker by making the passwords hard to crack and different from each other. Use two-factor authentication as it’s the same. It’s like having a second deadbolt on your door.
- Be Smart About Sharing: Always make sure you give a second thought before you share personal details online or through a telephone call. Do not forget to remove your post only once it is on the Internet, sometimes even the Internet itself cannot remove it.
Conclusion
NPD data breach highlights the vulnerability of our digital lives. Be alert, freeze your credit, and have a strong security around your accounts, and thus, you will have a more difficult time for thieves to misuse your stolen data. Keep yourself updated, secure, and take charge of your digital identity.
You can go to the following three credit reporting bureaus and create an account with each of them. They are Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Once you have established an account with them you will be able to freeze your credit file from new credit loans or credit card applications. From there you can check your reports and create disputes if anything seems off to you. You can also setup alerts and notifications when there is a change to your credit report.