Thousands of data breaches occur around the globe each day; so far in 2024, there has been a monthly average of almost 9 billion data breaches.
With cyberattacks becoming more advanced daily, data breaches are a growing concern for everyone. Imagine your devices or your business get hacked, how many people would you have to get in contact with? How much time and money could you possibly lose?
Hackers can take personal information from your corporate server, an insider can steal customer information, or information can be exposed on your company’s website. There are many possibilities for how this disaster could evolve. What steps should you take if this happens?
Let’s dive into how you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
Recognize the Signs of a Data Breach
Unusual Account Activity
We must say that it is difficult to define what unusual may look like, especially in these contexts. It would vary according to the use you make of your platforms, if you have a business, and what types of business we are talking about. If any unusual activity occurs, it is most likely that you will notice it; anything outside normal could suggest a major problem.
You should keep a close eye on these items:
- Sudden higher traffic on your site.
- Unexpected password recovery prompts.
- Failed login attempts.
- An unusual lack of notifications, emails, or messages might suggest something is wrong.
These indicators could suggest that someone might have gained unauthorized access to your data.
Slow Device Performance
Many attacks, such as DDoS and phishing attacks, can impact the performance of your devices. Either because they are using your RAM or your internet connection, you can notice an unexplained slower performance in many ways.
Many factors can cause this, so there is no need to panic before assessing the situation, but a data breach could be one of them. Cybercriminals might be using your device’s resources for their activities.
Unexpected Changes and Messages
This could be another hard-to-spot indicator of a data breach. You can simply confuse these changes with your devices’ normal functionality. If you get emails from accounts you didn’t authorize or messages about any changes you didn’t initiate, it’s crucial to investigate immediately.
Also, if you notice any difference in the user experience or presentation of the apps you usually use, double-check that everything is normal and that you are using the correct version of them.
Increased Number of Phishing Emails to Employees
Hackers can begin an attack by targeting an individual or a whole institution. Their goal is to send many corrupted links and variously present themselves until someone bites the trap.
They need someone to fall for their tricks, actually, 68% of breaches involve a non-malicious human element. After the links are clicked, they have immediate access to the software and can proceed in different ways.
Steps to Mitigate a Data Breach
Act ASAP
It is easier to solve a data breach when acting quickly. Here are some simple steps you can take just after you realize you might be hacked:
- Change Your Passwords: Start changing all your passwords and use brand-new codes and combinations. If some of your accounts are linked, take extra precautions and update them one by one.
- Upload Two-Factor Authentication Apps: 2FA is a new way of strengthening security. You can use an app for this, and it will create a code you should sync to your app every time you try to log in.
- Notify Other People: Inform every relevant person and institution about the potential breach. If you own a business, you should be prepared in advance for this and have a crisis management strategy with your team involved.
Contain the Breach
If you are certain that you are suffering a data breach, you might contact a professional. If that’s not a possibility for you, several actions need to be carried out, the most important being:
- Isolate the affected systems, apps, or devices.
- Move all your critical information.
- Change passwords and accesses if possible.
- Activate security patches and updates.
- Use your anti-virus to scan and clean malware-infected devices (though this might not be enough).
- Monitor your activity closely for the next weeks.
- Verify the integrity of your backups before ever using them again.
The main goal of these measures is to limit the magnitude of the breach and prevent further undesired situations.
Use Tools for Protection
One positive aspect of today’s rich digital world is that with all the threats also come good tools you can easily get and will keep your information safe.
Antiviruses
Antiviruses have been here for a long time, and there’s a reason for that. They’re the ultimate tool to prevent and mitigate attacks, especially if you are not an IT professional. They come in different versions, costs, and even for free in some cases.
Virtual Private Network
VPNs encrypt sensitive information sent from server to server while using the internet. You can use a VPN like Surfshark for all your devices, even smart TVs and tablets. VPNs can be determinative to a data breach when accessing the internet from unknown or public WiFi networks. Remember that if your passwords and account are compromised through your phone, this could impact your computer and workspace.
Preventing Future Breaches
Educate Yourself and Others
If other people have access to your information in any way, through your devices or accounts, you should also educate them. As a result of a data breach, 51% of organizations are planning to increase security investments. It is not enough for just one person to know how digital security works; hackers aim to fool everyone within a business or family.
Backup Your Data
Regularly create several copies of your most important information in multiple formats. Use external memories, cloud services, and even traditional paper folders if you prefer. The tech world offers amazing opportunities for businesses and people, but responsibility must be taken, too. Backing up your data is one of your responsibilities; this will save you if you fall victim to an attack.
Contact a Professional Team
If you are afraid of suffering a data breach and handling sensitive information such as customers’ bank data, you should not leave their security unsupervised. You don’t have to be an expert at everything, and this is why, if needed, hiring a professional IT team or individual is an investment.
Conclusion
Surely, we all want to avoid a data breach; this is not something anyone would like to experience. Unfortunately, many companies and individuals had to go through these difficult moments. This article is a simple guide on which you can rely and start getting involved in the security of your data.
Staying safe is a challenge in 2024, when the majority of us keep our most loved and previous data in digital devices. Utilize security tools like antivirus software, VPNs, and professionals to protect yourself. Don’t wait until it’s too late; you will be able to thank it later.
