The Marriott breach is historic with 500 million people affected, including possibly anyone who stayed at Marriott and Starwood properties across the globe. An unknown attacker stole information including emails, names, addresses, passport numbers and possibly payment card information, beginning in 2014.
Adam Levin, Founder of CyberScout and author of "Swiped" urges affected consumers to immediately follow the 3Ms to protect their personal information.
1. Minimize your exposure. Beware of phishing attacks. Don't authenticate yourself to anyone unless you are in control of the interaction. Don't click on links or attachments. Immediately change your password. Use a password manager or at the bare minimum make sure you use long and strong, diverse passwords that don't repeat across accounts.
2. Monitor your accounts. Check your credit report every day and keep track of your credit score. Check for any suspicious activity in your accounts. Sign up for free transaction alerts from financial services institutions and credit card companies, or subscribe to a credit and identity monitoring program. Consider freezing your credit at all three credit reporting agencies.
3. Manage the damage. Make sure you get on top of any incursion into your identity quickly and/or enroll in a program where professionals help you navigate and resolve identity compromises--oftentimes available for free, or at minimal cost, through insurance companies, financial services institutions and HR departments.
Adam K. Levin is a consumer advocate with more than 30 years of experience and is a nationally recognized expert on cybersecurity, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and personal finance. A former Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Levin is Chairman and founder of CyberScout and co-founder of Credit.com. Adam Levin is the author of Amazon Best Selling Book Swiped: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers and Identity Thieves.
No comments:
Post a Comment