Hacking is back in the news, I’m afraid. There is great advice already out there for steps to take to minimize the impact of a data breach. First, take note of whether anyone in your family is a user of the network. Then determine which, if any credit cards are registered with it. Make sure you sign up at the credit card online website for alerts or fraud monitoring that may already be available to you.
Then look at your account information. Was that email address used to create the account the same one as your social network? Make sure you update your password and security questions to be different than those used on the impacted network for best security. You’d hate for the hacker to have access to email and your network of friends and colleagues and a few extra moves now will put you ahead in the game.
I’m expecting the hacker to send out spam to the registered email address pretending to be from the hacked network or one of their agencies. You might get asked to update the registered credit card (and then they’d have two from you) or to provide an updated password. Remember; never respond to unsolicited emails like this. If you are suspicious your account (gaming or other) needs attention, visit the website by typing the address yourself, and don’t click a link.
Lastly, start reviewing your existing credit information with a report from www.annualcreditreport.com You should consider setting up free fraud alerts with one of the three credit reporting agencies. You’ll find information on those techniques at www.annualcreditreport.com as well.