Photo by Sora Shimazaki

Unwanted attempts from an outside party can be jarring on your end once your privacy is compromised. Making changes to protect your private information is crucial for your safety.

Recently, major tech companies have dealt with privacy breaches and info leaks. Hackers tend to spill public data, compromising the safety of these platforms’ users. If you have an online account, these hackers might have leaked your info for profit or other reasons. You can confirm if your account has been compromised here. And if it involves something serious that could get you in big legal trouble, get in touch with IDShield Service in Oregon to help you with your online privacy dilemma. 

In case you have multiple accounts, it is best to use a password manager to store and generate varying complex account credentials and, at the same time, provide an extra layer of security. These password managers can monitor account security breaches, analyze weak passwords and suggest changes, and sync your passwords so you can still see them on your phone. It can get complicated at first, especially if you are not computer savvy. 

The manager is in charge of saving your passwords, ensuring that you have strong passwords, and also prevent duplicate ones. Use this time to change the passwords around the smart devices in your home since they might also be at risk. And if possible, utilize the two-step authentication for online accounts. This is how you do it:

  • Enter your custom password.
  • The website will send you a temporary code only you can access.

The second step sends you the code via text message or through Google Authenticator, and after entering the code, that’s when you can log in.

Web Browsing Protection

You might not know this, but companies and websites trace everything you do online. From the ads, the clicks on your social media, and any online activity you did at any time. That data is collected by the websites you visit, which says much about you, more than people around you would usually know. Don’t be deceived by thinking that no one knows anything personal about you online because you changed your settings to private. Little did you know third-party entities have already gathered sufficient data about your life, including your family and friends.

Company websites collect this info as part of a digital marketing scheme by advertisers, hence the eerily specific ads you encounter as you browse online. These ads are oddly catered to your preferences since digital marketers already profiled who you are based on what you do on the internet.

To prevent ads from ruining your browsing experience, you can use a browser extension to block unnecessary ads whenever you visit a site. There are browser extensions that also prevent certain websites from collecting data. However, you might run into tiny blunders because some areas needed the ads to function. You can turn off the extensions temporarily before switching them back on again. Pair it with Privacy Badger, which can hinder online trackers. 

The Legal Dangers Of Data Breach

High-profile hacking incidents have taken place over the past few years and even made the headlines. The Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of millions of users has been stolen, including their Electronic Health Records. These people have been susceptible to identity theft, another heinous cybercrime that incurs much damage on the victim’s end. 

A data breach is an “unauthorized acquiring of personal information that puts the user’s security, integrity, security, and confidentiality.” Once sensitive information is encrypted, there wouldn’t be any breach. It is the only way to protect the data of individuals stored by companies. It is the protective wall that’s standing between the user data and the possible breach attempt. Although many companies still neglect this step of ensuring PII encryption is implemented. 

These kinds of organizations are precisely the perfect target for hackers to attack into. The implications for this crime on companies who fail to protect the user data include the following:

  • Huge government fine
  • Litigation sum
  • Brand depreciation
  • Legal fees
  • Shareholder equity problems
  • Reputation issues

These penalties are among what these companies might have to face if confirmed that they have neglected their users’ welfare. Sometimes, depending on the severity of the incident, there might be jail time. It can even go as far as class-action lawsuits which will increase the legal costs of the breach to extreme levels.

If you are a user, always ensure personal online security just in case something like a data breach happens. However, companies are much more liable for the personal data they hold. So if a cyberattack happens to them, more significant losses will affect them as a whole.

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For over 15 years, I've immersed myself in the world of blogging with an enthusiast's fervor. My passions span far and wide—be it traveling, experimenting in the kitchen, diving into books, or pushing the limits with extreme sports. Alongside these pursuits, I've honed expertise in business, digital marketing, finance, and home improvement. Through my writing, I aim to share the thrill of my diverse interests and experiences. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Nina Wilde
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