Protect Yourself from Hackers: 4 Steps That Can Help You Stay Secure

Massive data breaches are becoming alarmingly common, exposing millions––and sometimes billions––of sensitive records in one fell swoop. Just last month, breaches through National Public Data, Medicare, and MC2 Data resulted in the loss of over 100 million records. Companies entrusted with highly sensitive information, such as those handling background checks, seem to be struggling to secure the data that flows through their systems.

Unfortunately, it’s the public who bears the brunt of these breaches. The exposed personal information raises the risk of fraud, identity theft, and account takeovers, with scammers working around the clock to exploit these vulnerabilities. But while we can’t completely prevent breaches, we can make it significantly harder for hackers to target us individually.

Here are four steps you can take today to protect yourself from hackers and cybercriminals.

1. Strengthen Your Login Methods

As more data leaks onto the internet, it becomes easier for hackers to guess your passwords. They can plug stolen information into cracking tools or use it in “credential stuffing” attacks, where they test known email and password combinations across various sites to see which accounts they can access.

To defend against this, it’s critical to use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. A password manager can help you generate and remember them.

But passwords alone are not enough. You need to go further and implement two-factor authentication (2FA) or passkeys.

• Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of security, often requiring a one-time code from an app like Google Authenticator or Authy.
• Passkeys, a newer, more secure alternative to passwords, can also help. Passkeys are encrypted and linked to both your device and the website, making them resistant to phishing attacks. They’re authenticated through biometrics or a PIN, adding an extra level of protection without the need for a password.

Transitioning to these more secure login methods can take time, so start with your most sensitive accounts––like your email, banking, and tax accounts.

2. Lock Down Your Financial Life

Breaches often expose personally identifiable information (PII), including Social Security numbers, which can lead to identity theft. To protect yourself from financial fraud, take these steps:

• Freeze your credit: This prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission
• Check your credit report: Regularly review your credit history for any suspicious activity.
• Freeze your banking report: Similar to a credit freeze, this blocks access to your financial history.
• Set up an IRS identity protection PIN: This ensures that only you can file taxes under your Social Security number.

These steps take only about 30 minutes each and can be completed over the course of a week. Once implemented, they add significant barriers to identity theft.

3. Be Careful of Who You Talk To

The dark web is teeming with personal data––names, addresses, and even details about the services you use. This makes it easier for scammers to craft convincing, personalized attacks. To protect yourself, you should be skeptical of unsolicited messages, particularly those with a sense of urgency.

If you receive an alert about a security issue with your credit card, bank account, or online service, don’t click on the links or provide personal information. Instead, initiate contact yourself by using verified phone numbers or websites. If you’re trying to verify a request from someone you know, reach out through an alternative method to confirm their account hasn’t been compromised.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, even using AI to create convincing phishing messages. Taking a cautious, methodical approach to verifying communications can save you from falling victim to these attacks.

4. Stay Current with News About Breaches

Staying informed about data breaches can help you act quickly if your information is compromised. Massive leaks are often covered by major news outlets, but you should also use tools like Google’s Dark Web Monitoring or antivirus suites with dark web scanning features. These services will alert you if your information appears in a breach, giving you time to update passwords or take other necessary steps.

Additionally, keep an eye on emails from companies you use. When a company suffers a breach, they’ll often send notifications with details about what was compromised and what remedial services (like free credit monitoring) they are offering. Always verify the legitimacy of these emails by cross-referencing with official news sources to avoid phishing scams.

In a world where massive data breaches are piling up faster than ever, it’s easy to feel vulnerable. But by strengthening your login methods, locking down your financial life, being cautious of who you communicate with, and staying informed about new breaches, you can make it harder for hackers to exploit your data. While you can’t prevent breaches entirely, these steps will help you regain control of your digital life and minimize your risk.