what measures to take into account in the event of a data leak

Recently, there have been many news stories about data leaks, such as those from Santander and Ticketmaster. In fact, data breaches are a constant problem that affects many industries, from banks to logistics companies, online stores, entertainment and more. Businesses usually try to protect affected customers, but individuals can also take steps of their own to improve digital security. Kaspersky experts give advice on what to do if your personal data is leaked.

Data leaks often involve usernames, passwords, addresses and phone numbers. In some cases this may include passport and bank card details and, on rare occasions, other types of personal information may be exposed. Although any leak is unpleasant, there is no need to panic, but rather to pause and think about the necessary next steps.

If you believe your account details have been compromised, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. In case cybercriminals have already managed to access your account, contact technical support to restore access and search for other information they might have found.

When sensitive data like your address or phone number is leaked, it’s usually not critical, but it’s still concerning. A leaked address generally does not pose a threat unless it leads to targeted attacks like stalking. In rare cases like this, it is strongly recommended to contact the police promptly. If a phone number is leaked, make sure accounts using that number as a login have two-factor authentication, change your password for added security, and stay vigilant for potential scam calls.

If your passport or identity information is leaked, it is important to remain alert to potential social engineering attacks. Scammers may try to call and use your passport details to appear even more credible. You should be aware of this, but there is no need to obtain a new document. Using leaked passport data for fraudulent purposes, for example to take out a loan, requires a lot of other personal information and strong offline criminal skills. As a means of mitigation in the future, be careful not to disclose your passport details unnecessarily; they are mainly needed for banking and e-government applications, and sometimes for logistics services.

Act quickly if your credit card information is leaked: monitor bank notifications, reissue the card, and change the password for your banking app or website. Enable two-factor authentication and other verification methods. Some banks allow spending limits to be set for added protection. If account and balance details are leaked, be extremely vigilant against phishing emails, text messages and calls. Cybercriminals could see you as a victim of targeted attacks based on this information. Contact your bank directly in unclear situations.

Additionally, various types of disclosed employee data can be used for OSINT (open source intelligence) to gain further access to internal systems. To counter these threats, organizations are advised to use robust security solutions such as Kaspersky Next, strict cybersecurity policies, and employee training such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform.

“It is important to be aware of possible data leak risks, not overshare and be prepared to verify information to avoid social engineering attacks. It is also crucial to educate your loved ones, especially children and the elderly. For example, explain that if someone refers to personal information, such as their full name and even passport details, over the phone, messaging, social media or email, it is not necessarily the bank or social service representatives, but perhaps scammers. For personal questions, it is advisable to have a code word or question that only close people know, while with organizations, if certain actions are necessary, it is best to use official contact details for double verification “, explains Amin Hasbini, director of the META global research center. Team (GReAT), at Kaspersky.

-Ends-

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With more than a billion devices protected to date against emerging cyber threats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep expertise in threat intelligence and security is constantly evolving into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the world. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, and Cyber Immune solutions to combat sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help more than 220,000 business customers protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.

Send us your press releases to [email protected]

Disclaimer: The content of this press release was provided by an external third party vendor. This website is not responsible for and does not control this external content. This content is provided “as is” and “as available” and has not been modified in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The Content does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice or opinions regarding the suitability, value, or profitability of any particular security, portfolio, or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content or for any actions taken by you based thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information contained in this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors shall not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including, without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenue, whether by negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties were advised of the possibility or could have foreseen such damages.