Breaking
March 17, 2025

How to take back control after your data was breached | usagoldmines.com

So, your data was leaked by hackers. Well, you’re not the only one. We live in an era in which data breaches are a daily occurrence. And that’s both bad and good news. It’s bad for obvious reasons—no one wants to have their personal information exposed.

But here’s why it could be good news—it means the digital landscape is saturated with terabytes of data, leaving each individual data point nearly worthless. The rise of data brokers—companies that legally aggregate hundreds or thousands of data points to create a profile on you—is a result of this phenomenon. This means that, while data breaches are indeed bad news, taking down a majority of your exposed data is simple if you know where to look, or which provider to use that can legally remove aggregated profiling information from large databases.

PROMOTION

Stop spam calls and scam messages

Say goodbye to unwanted callers. Get Incogni and reclaim peace of mind from telemarketers, robocallers and scam attempts. We remove your personal data from hundreds of databases with ease, protecting your identity: name, phone numbers, emails, addresses, financial information, and much more.

Once your data finds its way into one of these datadumps (that is, files containing breached information), there are some things you can do yourself to safeguard your data and some services that can be done for you to remove that data from the largest profiling databases out there.

Let’s dive in!

How to take back control after a data leak

Here’s a quick overview of the steps you should take to protect your data after it’s breached. It’s best to follow them in the order presented.

  1. Change passwords: Immediately change the password for the affected account and any others using the same credentials.
  2. Freeze your credit: If the breach involves more sensitive data like your SSN, full name, or address, freeze your credit with one of the main credit bureaus.
  3. Set up MFA: Enable multi-factor authentication for your important accounts and, ideally, all online accounts.
  4. Remove your personal information from data brokers: Having your data breached is one issue, but it being shared is another. Sign up for a data removal service to prevent your information from spreading online.
  5. Monitor your accounts for signs of identity theft: The consequences of a data breach aren’t always immediate; identity theft can occur months later. To prevent this, regularly monitor your banking, credit, and Social Security accounts.

Now, let’s get into more detail.

Change your passwords

Statistics indicate that two-thirds of Americans use the same password across multiple accounts.Nearly half prefer easy-to-remember passwords over hard-to-crack passwords. The consequence?

If you’re among either of those groups, once your password gets leaked, it exposes your other accounts as well.

That’s especially true if you reuse your passwords, but people who use similarly structured passwords aren’t safe either.

For your own safety, update your passwords:

  • On the platform where the breach happened
  • On all other accounts that use the same or similar passwords.

Come up with unique combinations, preferably 14 characters long.

And yeah, we get you—Remembering unique, 14-character-long passwords for each account becomes a titanic act, probably not within reach of us mere mortals. Only, you don’t have to do it yourself. There are tons of password managers you can use to boost your security and organize your passwords.

See our top password managers for 2025.

Freeze your credit

People whose personal information was used by fraudsters to open new accounts suffered over $3K in losses on average.

When you combine it with the instances where fraudsters took out loans or breached credit card information, that number grows even further.

And it’s easier than you might think.

Take credit cards, for example. Some banks ask for only the following information to submit a request for a new credit card:

  • Full name
  • Birth date
  • Social Security number
  • Address
  • Annual income
  • Current employer

The Real Estate Wealth Network data breach from 2023 exposed five out of six data points listed above—in just a single incident. Fraudsters could take out lines of credit in your name, without you even knowing.

To prevent anyone from taking out lines of credit in your name, freeze your credit reports at all three bureaus.

You can do it for free online:

Enable multi-factor authentication

Passwords aren’t enough. Especially if you don’t have an appetite for unique, 14-character-long ones.

The good news is that you can improve your accounts’ security by a wide margin with multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods.

The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) states that the “use of MFA on your accounts makes you 99% less likely to be hacked.”

The idea behind MFA is simple and you’ve likely come across it before.

Here’s how it works: After entering your password, you’re asked to confirm your identity by a different measure—typing in a code received via email, for example. It’s the second factor in the authentication process.

It usually stops here, making it two-factor authentication (2FA), but it could go further, adding a third and even fourth layer—making it a truly multi-factor.

Learn more about MFA and how to use it.

Remove your personal information from data brokers

Here’s the thing about data breaches—a data breach is a singular incident, a one-time thing. Hackers get access to databases and expose them.

Our attention revolves mostly around that incident. We change our passwords, freeze our credit, and, after a while, forget about the whole affair.

But the leaked data is still circulating the web.

From one dark web forum to another, it passes through many, often shady, hands, potentially landing among the records of data brokers.

Data brokers are companies that buy and sell personal information to make a profit. It’s similar to stock brokers. Only, instead of buying and selling corporate shares, data brokers buy and sell your:

  • Names
  • Birth date
  • Phone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Current and past addresses
  • Owned properties
  • Current and past employers
  • Pulic records
  • Relatives
  • …and more

With each data breach, your profile builds up.

As a result, you may be targeted by identity thieves long after the initial data breach took place.

Here’s the good news, though—you can sign up for a data removal service, like Incogni, and have your personal information removed from hundreds of data brokers.

There are a few good removal services available for US citizens, like Kanary and Optery, but what really sets Incogni apart is that they target both private and public data brokers, while most others only focus on the public ones.

The private databases, which are traded behind closed doors, are the ones that really impact your privacy. And Incogni is one of the few services that actually tackles those. But the good news doesn’t stop there.

Incogni makes protecting your personal info a walk in a park. Getting started is super easy—it only takes a few clicks to set up your account and send out the first batch of 220+ removal requests.

And after that you can sit back and focus on what really matters. Incogni will keep reaching out to all the data brokers in their network on a regular basis to make sure your personal info doesn’t end up back in their databases.

Monitor your accounts for signs of identity theft

“Identity theft is no joke, Jim!”—teaches us Dwight from The Office.

And with nearly a third of Americans already affected by some form of it, it indeed is not a joke.

10% of identity theft victims realize something is wrong only when their money is gone. That’s far too late.

Instead, monitor your key accounts—like banking, credit, and Social Security—regularly.

Keep a close eye on your:

  • Bank statements for any anomalies.
  • Credit reports for unsolicited activity.
  • Social Security account for unrecognized actions.
  • Mail for suspicious letters, even if not addressed to you.
  • Email for any unintended updates to your accounts, especially new accounts.

 

This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak

All rights reserved to : USAGOLDMIES . www.usagoldmines.com

You can Enjoy surfing our website categories and read more content in many fields you may like .

Why USAGoldMines ?

USAGoldMines is a comprehensive website offering the latest in financial, crypto, and technical news. With specialized sections for each category, it provides readers with up-to-date market insights, investment trends, and technological advancements, making it a valuable resource for investors and enthusiasts in the fast-paced financial world.

Recent:

The Seven Vegetables You Should Always Grow From Seeds (and Why) Amanda Blum | usagoldmines.com

My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: The Google Pixel 9 Pro Daniel Oropeza | usagoldmines.com

Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 215 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements Juli Clover...

Review: Alogic's Ark Pro Packs a Punch With Portable Power Eric Slivka | usagoldmines.com

New Apple Store Opening in Ohio This Weekend Joe Rossignol | usagoldmines.com

Apple No Longer Hiding Apple Intelligence Storage Space Info in macOS 15.4 Juli Clover | usagoldmine...

AMD powers the world's fastest all-in-one PC, and yes, I've probably overstretched the definition of...

“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen Scharon Harding | usagoldmines.co...

Oops! Microsoft’s latest Windows update removes Copilot from PCs | usagoldmines.com

All the Ways I Cook With MSG on a Regular Basis Allie Chanthorn Reinmann | usagoldmines.com

Seven Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before You Move Into Your New Home Jeff Somers | usagold...

Apple's Limited-Time Mac Trade-In Offer Has a Disappointing Catch Joe Rossignol | usagoldmines.com

Western Digital introduces 26TB WD Red Pro HDDs for RAID and NAS systems at a surprisingly low price...

Save up to 65% on Microsoft Office & Windows Software | usagoldmines.com

Here are 4 Secret Android Features You May See in Android 16 or 17 Kellen | usagoldmines.com

Google Pushes Fix for Dead Chromecast Devices That Were Factory Reset Kellen | usagoldmines.com

You Can Now Use ChatGPT As Your Default Android Assistant David Nield | usagoldmines.com

The Blink Mini 2 Is at Its Lowest Price Right Now Pradershika Sharma | usagoldmines.com

Disney+ and Hulu Launch New Promo Bundle Offering Four Months for Just $11.96 Mitchel Broussard | us...

Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it ...

UK online safety law Musk hates kicks in today, and so far, Trump can’t stop it Ashley Belanger | us...

Windows 11 updates are accidentally getting rid of Copilot, at least for now Andrew Cunningham | usa...

Sobering revenue stats of 70K mobile apps show why devs beg for subscriptions Scharon Harding | usag...

Trump plan to fund Musk’s Starlink over fiber called “betrayal” of rural US Jon Brodkin | usagoldmin...

I’m a desk fidgeter. These 5 fidget toys keep me sane while I work | usagoldmines.com

Don’t be scared! Buy a cheaper laptop and upgrade the storage yourself | usagoldmines.com

Streaming Major League Baseball games: A how-to guide | usagoldmines.com

Best budget computer speakers 2025: Solid PC audio for $100 or less | usagoldmines.com

I love this Steam Sale tool that discovers hidden PC gaming gems | usagoldmines.com

Turn Spring Cleaning Into All-Year Cleaning With These Techniques Lindsey Ellefson | usagoldmines.co...

Apple Seeds Fourth Betas of visionOS 2.4, tvOS 18.4, and watchOS 11.4 Juli Clover | usagoldmines.com

Apple Seeds Fourth iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 Betas With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music and Mor...

Apple Seeds Fourth Beta of macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization Juli Clover | usagoldmines.co...

Apple Exclusively Selling New 4-in-1 MagSafe Charging Stand Joe Rossignol | usagoldmines.com

Intel's Panther Lake processors won't arrive until Q1 2026 - corroborates previous delay rumors desp...

Samsung's best Dolby Atmos soundbar is being bricked by a new update – here's what we know so far |...

Adolescence is the best show on Netflix right now, and you can watch it in one evening john-anthony....

Microsoft shot itself in the foot with its latest Windows update | usagoldmines.com

Elecom’s world-first Na-ion power bank has 10x more charging cycles than Li-ion | usagoldmines.com

This free tool cuts through Steam Sales and finds the hidden gems | usagoldmines.com

Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Grabs March Update Kellen | usagoldmines.com

Instead of Spring Cleaning, Try Spring Decluttering Lindsey Ellefson | usagoldmines.com

The Seven Deadly Sins of Spring Cleaning Stephen Johnson | usagoldmines.com

I didn't know an SSD could be cute until I saw Seagate's new Genshin Impact limited edition dash.woo...

Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #1149) | usagoldmines.com

NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #646) | usagoldmines.com

NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #380) | usagoldmines.com

I asked ChatGPT 4o, Gemini Live, and Siri what to wear, and only one could really help me look my be...

Technology monitoring solutions are becoming obsolete | usagoldmines.com

Your next GPU could be from AMD, not Nvidia, if Team Red’s success with PC gamers continues | usago...

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is getting one of the S25’s biggest video upgrades with One UI 7 – here’s why...

Nintendo Switch 2 likely to have AI upscaling similar to PS5 Pro’s PSSR according to patent, and it ...

How Google's new anti-scraping measures are forcing an industry evolution | usagoldmines.com

“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling proj...

Infamous ransomware hackers reveal new tool to brute-force VPNs | usagoldmines.com

I've been using an Apple Watch for 10 years – here are three common mistakes even I've made stephen....

Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away stephen.warwick@futurenet.com (Stephe...

Security issue in open source software leaves businesses concerned for systems | usagoldmines.com

Physicists unlock another clue to brewing the perfect espresso Jennifer Ouellette | usagoldmines.com

A tough race for the rookies as F1 starts 2025 in Australia Jonathan M. Gitlin | usagoldmines.com

Why wait? Google is already dismantling Assistant as it switches to Gemini. Ryan Whitwam | usagoldmi...

This free app unlocks AMD’s FSR 4 for unsupported games | usagoldmines.com

Asus jacks up prices on Nvidia and AMD GPUs | usagoldmines.com

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app is being killed soon | usagoldmines.com

Logitech’s MX Vertical mouse rarely goes on sale — it’s 30% off now | usagoldmines.com

7 Google Assistant features vanishing soon as Gemini transition approaches | usagoldmines.com

Put Your Kids in Charge of These Spring Cleaning Chores Meghan Moravcik Walbert | usagoldmines.com

The Best Spring Cleaning Tips, According to Pros Lindsey Ellefson | usagoldmines.com

At 50% off, the Blink Mini 2 is a great first home security camera | usagoldmines.com

Never pay full price for Amazon purchases again with this free site | usagoldmines.com

$400 Off the Pixel 9 Pro XL is Happening Right Now For Some Reason Kellen | usagoldmines.com

My Favorite Gadgets to Make Spring Cleaning Actually Kind of Fun Lindsey Ellefson | usagoldmines.com

The Specialty Spring Cleaning Tools That Are Actually Useful Lindsey Ellefson | usagoldmines.com

Mac Studio With M3 Ultra Runs Massive DeepSeek R1 AI Model Locally Tim Hardwick | usagoldmines.com

Apple's First Foldable iPhone Estimated to Cost Nearly Twice as Much as iPhone 16 Pro Max Joe Rossig...

1Password Spring Sale Features Up to 50% Off Plans for Families and Individuals Mitchel Broussard | ...

Get ready to pay $1360 more for the RTX 5090 - Asus just raised prices yet again, and AMD's RX 9070 ...

Huawei might have beaten Apple to the folding phone finish line by creating a foldable 'iPad mini' j...

Switchbot has totally redesigned its smart home hub – and it's great news for renters | usagoldmine...

It’s crunch time for Apple Intelligence as Apple execs look for a solution to the company’s AI woes ...

Circular's new smart ring is getting blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring before the Apple Wa...

Disney+ renews Percy Jackson and the Olympians for season 3, unleashing an epic new odyssey based on...

Knights of the Old Republic remake developer Saber Interactive states all its projects are 'still in...

Worryingly, Google Gemini’s new AI image generation features can be used to remove watermarks from i...

EU tech companies push for digital sovereignty, reducing reliance on US and others benedict.collins@...

Google is slowly phasing out its Assistant helper to make room for Gemini's reign in smartphones - h...

Adobe Summit 2025 - all the news and updates as it happens | usagoldmines.com

Renault unveils its wildest EV to date and it comes with in-wheel motors and a rally-style vertical ...

Latest Snap Spectacles update teases an exciting AR future that I can't wait for hamish.hector@futur...

Microsoft 365 accounts are under attack from new malware spoofing popular work apps | usagoldmines....

One of the most powerful ransomware hacks around has been cracked using some serious GPU power | us...

Demon City on Netflix is Japan's answer to John Wick with a dash of Oldboy, and it rocks | usagoldm...

How to use a virtual number to stay safe from scammers | usagoldmines.com

How to check if your data has already leaked | usagoldmines.com

The rise of AI voice cloning: A new era of phone scams begins | usagoldmines.com

“They knew everything about me”–How modern identity thieves profile victims | usagoldmines.com

How Surfshark VPN can help you watch content while travelling as if you were still at home | usagol...

Make Chrome secure and private by using the Surfshark VPN extension | usagoldmines.com

Surfshark Antivirus: all-around antivirus protection and more | usagoldmines.com

The digital footprint you leave online & how can Surfshark Antivirus protect it | usagoldmines....

Leave a Reply