The protective barriers that companies use to protect this data are believed to be reliable enough, but sometimes cybercriminals manage to overcome them.
Almost all of our data is online. We share them when uploading content to social networks, registering on a website, making online purchases or ordering a service. The protective barriers that companies use to protect this data are believed to be strong enough, but sometimes cybercriminals manage to overcome them and steal sensitive customer information. This leaked data spreads in shady networks of malicious hackers who, knowing what services we subscribe to or what entities we are customers of,use them to carry out reliable fraud. Consumer and User Organization (OCU) explains how users should behave if they fall into the trap of a data breach.
What can criminals do with your data?
Fines for security breaches have increased sharply over the past year, by 1,471% from €821,800 in 2022 to €12,970,000 in 2023. This indicates an increase in security incidents or their detection. Specifically, in Spain, 2,004 reports of data breaches were received in 2023. 82% of them belonged to the private sector and 18% to the public sector.
If you are among the victims, Criminals can make use of your personal data and your open bank accounts, apply for loans or even Dishonest Operationsby impersonating your identity. Leaked data, such as phone numbers or email addresses, can also be exploited sending fraudulent emails or text messages. In addition, if the passwords of online services are not adequately protected, hackers can obtain access to bank accounts, social networks or online services.
What to do?
To prevent cyber scams, prevention actions must first be taken. Setting up security alerts, using a password manager, enabling two-factor authentication, using an antivirus program, and periodically checking our accounts in tools to detect data leaks are the most basic steps we can take to protect our data. However, if your sensitive information has already been leaked, here’s what the OCU recommends doing:
-ChangeLeaked passwords and similar passwords used in other services.
-Do not click on the company related to links in emails, SMS messages or WhatsApp, that may seem suspicious to you, and exercise caution in phone calls you receive from that company or affiliated companies.
-Practice egosurfing, it will allow you to know what information is available about you on the Internet. And if you find personal information online that you do not want to make public, you can exercise your “right to be forgotten” through the AEPD (Spanish Data Protection Agency ).
– Notify your bank to block cards and monitor fraudulent activity.
