Ga. (WRBL) — Cybersecurity analysts say that the United States currently remains the most data breached country across the globe
According to the Columbus Police Department (CPD), data breaches are a security issue when uncertified parties expose, steal or access personal data including personal identification, financial information or medical records.
The following businesses and social networks have all been victims of data breaches:
Lt. Jane Edenfield with the Columbus Police Department (CPD) stopped by WRBL for a midday interview to share how people can protect themselves from data breaches which are now at an all-time high.
CPD officials also emphasize the difference between data breaches and cyberattacks. While data breaches can be either intentional or unintentional, cyberattacks are deliberately intended to cause harm to someone.
Edenfield said data breaches are a result of three common causes:
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Cloud Misconfiguration — unprotected storage servers or databases left open to the public internet
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Human Error — accidental data sharing, lost devices, or overlooked security patches
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Phishing/Theft of Credentials — attackers steal employee or vendor login credentials to slip past network defenses
CPD encourages businesses, social networks and residents to immediately take action and do the following if their data has been breached:
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Read the breach notice carefully – check what information was actually linked (names, dates of birth, financials, passwords, emails, etc.)
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Change your passwords immediately
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Freeze your credit – This can be done through Equifax, Experian or Transunion (many times the victim business will offer it, at least temporarily)
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Monitor your financial accounts
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Watch out for phishing and scams – Scammers frequently use this information to run scams
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