Millions of AT&T customers could be at risk of having their data exposed after the carrier confirms that user data has been published on the dark web.
Currently, more than 73 million current and former customers have disclosed information such as their Social Security number and address.
According to AT&T, the leak was published two weeks ago. So far, all data is from his 2019 and earlier years. It includes information from 7.6 million current users and as many as 65.4 million of his former customers. AT&T said it is investigating but does not yet know whether the data came from the company or a third party.
Security expert working on laptop (AT&T)
What information was involved?
According to the company’s website, “Information varied by customer and account, but could include name, email address, mailing address, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth, AT&T account number, and passcode.” It is said that there is a certain gender.
How do I know if I’ve been affected by a data breach?
The company is contacting current and former customers whose data was compromised and is resetting passwords for current users. Customers affected by this security breach will be contacted directly by AT&T via email or letter regarding this incident.
AT&T reveals data breach affecting 9 million wireless accounts
What action is AT&T taking?
In addition to these notifications, AT&T has already reset passcodes for current users.
AT&T discovered information in certain datasets on the dark web. The company is still considering it, but issued the following statement:
“AT&T, with support from internal and external cybersecurity experts, has launched a robust investigation. Our preliminary analysis indicates that the dataset appears to date back to 2019 or earlier and represents approximately 7.6 million people. Affecting current AT&T account holders and approximately 65.4 million former account holders. AT&T currently has no evidence that any data sets were compromised due to unauthorized access to its systems. www.att.com/accountsafety For more information. “
security icons on computer (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: Beware of encrypted PDFs as the latest method to deliver malware
How can I tell if my information is on the dark web?
can go to haibeenpwned.com Check if your information is being sold on the dark web. Just enter your email address in the search bar. The website will search and display your data and show you whether there has been a data breach related to your email address on various sites. You may have already received an email from a website informing you that some of your data has been stolen.
What should I do if my information is stolen?
If you receive a notification or if your information haibeenpwned.com site? Immediate action must be taken to minimize damage. Below are some steps you can take.
change password
If hackers have recorded your passwords, they can access your online accounts and steal your data and money. On another device (i.e., laptop or desktop), you should change the passwords for all your important accounts, including email, banking, and social media. I would like to do this on a separate device so hackers don’t record it. Set a new password on your hacked device. You should also use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess or crack.You can also use password manager Generate passwords and store them securely.
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Enable two-factor authentication
must be activated two-factor authentication For an extra layer of security.
Illustration of data on a computer (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: 26 billion reasons to protect yourself after a major data breach is revealed
Monitor your account and transactions
You should regularly check your online accounts and transactions for suspicious or fraudulent activity. If you notice anything unusual, report it to your service provider or authorities immediately. You should also check your credit report and score for signs of identity theft or fraud.
Please contact your bank or credit card company
If a hacker obtains your banking or credit card information, they can use it to make purchases or withdrawals without your consent. You must notify your bank or credit card company of the situation. We can help you freeze or cancel your card, dispute fraudulent charges, and issue a new card.
You should also contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and request that a fraud alert be placed on your credit file. This makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without authentication. You can also freeze your credit if you wish.
Use identity theft protection
Identity theft protection companies monitor your personal information, such as your household title, social security number, phone number, and email address, and alert you if it’s being used to open an account. It can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further misuse by criminals.
One of the best things about using some services is that they may include identity theft insurance. Up to $1 million to cover losses and legal costs And our excellent fraud resolution team US-based case manager helps you recover your losses. Check out our tips and recommendations on how to protect yourself from identity theft..
Alert a contact
If a hacker gains access to your email or social media accounts, they could use them to send spam or emails. phishing message to your contacts. They may also pretend to be you and request money or personal information. You should alert your contacts and warn them not to open or reply to messages from you that seem suspicious or unusual.
Read more: What to do if your bank account is hacked
Cart important points
It is important to note that this remains a fluid situation. AT&T said it is actively investigating and gathering information. However, some concrete lessons can be learned. You should do everything possible to lock your data. This means using unique passwords, password managers, and two-factor authentication to stay safe. Some of these lessons are simple, like never reusing passwords.
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This also shows that data can be put in some pretty scary places. The dark web is the wild west of the internet, and you never know who might have access to your information.
Are you worried about your information being published on the dark web? What else can businesses do to keep their data from leaking? Email us at. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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