Data Breach Response: How to Handle It When it Happens to You
Personal data breaches have become so pervasive that it’s easy to forget how devastating it is. Hackers can take control of your files in what is called a ransomware attack, demanding a large payment in exchange for the return of data they never should have had in the first place. Or they may steal files from your computer or cloud storage discreetly, damaging your reputation and finances before you’ve even realized what’s going on. The fallout of a breach of data can take years to repair, especially when it leads to full-on identity theft.
If you’re experiencing a breach of data, here are a few steps you can take to regain control.
Stop Further Immediate Damage
Assuming your computer hasn’t been hijacked, the first thing to do is to reset the passwords for every account you have. Even if only your online data storage cloud has been targeted, assume hackers can access all your data. Implementing a bunch of new, distinct, secure passwords is tedious, but it’s the quickest way to prevent any more of your data from being stolen.
Once your passwords are reset, log out of everything, from your email to Postmates. Safely back up all your files and wipe your hard drive. Use a dedicated software program to ensure this is done correctly.
You’ll also have to come clean -pun intended- to your inner circle. Close friends, family members, and colleagues with whom you correspond frequently need to know you’ve been hacked in case they are targeted as well.
If you’ve been subjected to a ransomware attack, whether or not you decide to pay is up to you. However, there’s no guarantee that it will get your data back.
Minimize Long-Term Fallout
If you’re an American, place fraud alerts with the three U.S credit bureaus and consider freezing your credit. If your identity is stolen, notify the Federal Trade Commission. Unfortunately, the police generally don’t have the resources to investigate a personal data breach unless you know who committed it. You should still file a report, however, especially if you’re dealing with a ransomware attack.
Given how time-consuming, expensive, and stressful data breach response can be, why not prevent your files from being stolen in the first place?
Store Your Data Safely
Many consumers believe that any online cloud storage platform will keep their files safe. But as hackers grow more sophisticated, extra precautions are needed to protect personal data.
Encrypted storage is the best way to keep your files secure. Encryption is the process of making data look like unreadable ciphertext unless you have the handle, or key code, to read it. As long as you control who has your handle, you’ll know exactly who has access to your data. If anyone tries to tamper with your data, you’ll be immediately notified.
Data segmentation, systemically “slicing” up a large amount of data into separate chunks, is another important facet of secure cloud data storage. Data segmentation minimizes the damage hackers can do; even if they can access some of your data, they can’t get to the rest without committing additional breaches.
Of course, both these technologies are difficult, if not impossible, for the average person to implement alone. A trusted, secure professional service can ensure that your data is encrypted and stored correctly.
Opacity cloud storage utilizes encryption and data segmentation, but it also goes a step further. Built with blockchain technology, Opacity protects your privacy at every step of the process, never asking for personal information. Storage plans can be purchased via the OPCT token, bought through cryptocurrency exchanges, or credit card plans, making it easy to keep your data safe if choosing the first.
At the end of the day, the best personal data breach response is to never have your data breached at all.
About Opacity
Founded in 2018, Opacity Storage is dedicated to online data privacy and security. Online data breaches continue to be a major consumer risk. Opacity is reducing this risk by removing the need to provide personal payment data and by decentralizing files stored online. For more information, visit opacity.io and follow @Opacity_Storage on Twitter.
Join Opacity
- Our Website
- Join us: Opacity Telegram | Discord
- Follow us: Opacity Announcement Channel | Twitter | Reddit | YouTube
- Buy OPCT: Kucoin | Uniswap
