Five Steps to Secure Your

Information After A Data Breach

Simple Steps to Help Prevent Identity Theft

Turn on Multifactor Authentication

Multifactor authentication is when websites use extra steps to validate your identity beyond simply inputting a password. For example, after inputting your password you’ll receive a text or email with a code you must enter before you can log in. If a service offers added security features like this, use them. While it may make logging in a little more inconvenient, it serves as an extra barrier against identity thieves.

Change your Passwords Regularly

Set yourself a reminder to change your passwords regularly. Passwords should be long and contain a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid words that can be found in the dictionary. The longer and the more complicated the better. Experts recommend using anagrams that you can easily remember, but will stump a hacker.

Forget About Security Questions

Sites will often use security questions such as “What was the name of your first school?” or “What is your mother’s maiden name?” to recover a user’s account if the password is forgotten. However, with the predominance personal sharing on social media and the availability of public records online, it is relatively easy for scam artists to find this kind of information. Treat these questions as secondary passwords, rather than using your real info.

Monitor Your Credit

Typically, a service will offer one year of free credit monitoring if it has been breached. However, hackers are going to hold onto your information for longer than a year. You can use free credit monitoring services to more aggressively watch your credit.

Freeze Your Credit

A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report. When creditors see a credit freeze on an account, they are less likely to extend new credit, thus preventing identity thieves from opening any new accounts in your name. However, if you want to open a new account, apply for a new job or rent a new apartment, you’ll have to arrange for the freeze to be lifted to grant access to new creditors, employersor landlords.

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Works Cited: Perlroth, Nicole. "Five Steps to Secure Your Data After I.R.S. Breach." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 27 May 2015. Web. 16 June 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/technology/irs-breach-demonstrates-the-need-to-make-hacking-harder.html?ref=topics&_r=1>