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Over the previous few months, we’ve seen a wave of data breaches affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals, from well being care giants to authorities contractors and extra. This newest incident is one more in a protracted line of alarming breaches. Now, the insurance administrative providers firm Landmark Admin has warned {that a} data breach from a May cyberattack impacted over 800,000 people.
Landmark Admin has partnered with among the largest insurance carriers within the U.S., together with American Monumental Life Insurance Company, Pellerin Life Insurance Company and American Benefit Life Insurance Company.
Through these partnerships, hundreds of thousands of policyholders and their delicate information, comparable to names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and passport numbers, could possibly be liable to publicity, additional amplifying the potential impression of this breach.
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A lady engaged on her laptop computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What it’s essential know
In a report back to the Maine legal professional basic’s workplace, Landmark revealed it noticed uncommon exercise in its programs May 13, 2024, prompting it to disconnect affected programs and block distant entry to its community (by way of Bleeping Computer).
Landmark introduced in a specialised third-party cybersecurity group to assist safe its programs and run a radical investigation to know the extent of the breach. But whereas they had been trying into it, the hackers managed to interrupt again into Landmark’s system June 17, 2024.
The cybersecurity group’s findings confirmed data was each encrypted and stolen from Landmark’s programs. According to the investigation, hackers could have gained unauthorized entry to the personal particulars of impacted people, which may embrace full identify, deal with, Social Security quantity, tax ID, driver’s license or state-issued ID quantity, passport quantity, financial institution particulars, medical data, well being insurance coverage quantity, date of start and particulars about life and annuity insurance policies.
Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MASSIVE DATA BREACH EXPOSES 3 MILLION AMERICANS’ PERSONAL INFORMATION TO CYBERCRIMINALS
What is Landmark doing after data breach?
Landmark is providing free id theft safety providers for these affected by the data breach. It’s additionally notifying everybody whose personal information could have been in its programs throughout the breach. Individual notices shall be despatched by U.S. first-class mail, going out in batches as they determine probably affected people. The first wave of letters was despatched Oct. 23, 2024.
Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
WORLD’S LARGEST STOLEN PASSWORD DATABASE UPLOADED TO CRIMINAL FORUM
9 methods to guard your self from data breaches
1. Enable two-factor authentication: Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of safety on all of your essential accounts, together with electronic mail, banking and social media. Two-factor authentication requires you to offer a second piece of information, comparable to a code despatched to your cellphone, along with your password when logging in. This makes it considerably tougher for hackers to entry your accounts, even when they’ve your password. Enabling 2FA can enormously cut back the chance of unauthorized entry and shield your delicate data.
2. Monitor your accounts and transactions: You ought to test your on-line accounts and transactions usually for any suspicious or unauthorized exercise. If you discover something uncommon, instantly report it to the service supplier or authorities. You must also evaluate your credit score studies and scores to see if there are any indicators of id theft or fraud.
3. Contact your financial institution and bank card firms: Landmark hackers obtained your financial institution and bank card information, which they might use to make purchases or withdrawals with out your consent. You ought to inform your financial institution and bank card firms of the state of affairs. They may help you freeze or cancel your playing cards, dispute any fraudulent expenses and challenge new playing cards for you.
You must also contact one of many three main credit score reporting businesses (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and request a fraud alert to be positioned in your credit score file. This will make it tougher for id thieves to open new accounts in your identify with out verification. You may even freeze your credit score if want be.
4. Use personal data elimination providers: In mild of those ongoing data breaches, defending personal data has turn out to be important. One proactive step is to contemplate personal data elimination providers, which focus on constantly monitoring and eradicating your information from numerous on-line databases and web sites. These providers make use of superior instruments and methods to determine and eradicate your data from folks search websites, data brokers and different platforms the place your information may be uncovered. By utilizing a data elimination service, you’ll be able to reduce the chance of id theft and fraud, particularly after a data breach. Additionally, these providers usually present ongoing monitoring and alerts, retaining you knowledgeable of any new situations of your data showing on-line and taking fast motion to take away it. Check out my high picks for data elimination providers right here.
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5. Have robust antivirus software program: As cyberthreats develop in frequency and class, robust antivirus software program can be essential to fend off malware and phishing scams, each of which may expose your delicate information if left unguarded.
The greatest approach to safeguard your self from malicious hyperlinks that set up malware, probably accessing your personal information, is to have antivirus software program put in on all of your gadgets. This safety also can warn you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, retaining your personal information and digital property protected. Get my picks for one of the best 2024 antivirus safety winners to your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS gadgets.
6. Use robust, distinctive passwords: Secure entry to your accounts is paramount. Using robust, distinctive passwords for every account is an efficient barrier in opposition to unauthorized entry, particularly when data breaches place your information at heightened threat. Avoid reusing passwords throughout a number of accounts. A powerful password usually has a mixture of uppercase, lowercase, numbers and particular characters and is at the least 12 characters lengthy. Consider utilizing a password supervisor to assist generate and retailer advanced passwords securely.
7. Keep your software program up to date: Outdated software program can have vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Ensure your working programs, apps and browsers are up to date to the most recent variations to shut any safety gaps.
8. Limit sharing of personal information on-line: Be conscious about sharing personal information on social media or different platforms, as hackers can use this data in phishing schemes. Make certain to regulate privateness settings in your social media accounts so solely trusted pals can view your profile information.
9. Avoid public Wi-Fi for delicate transactions: Public Wi-Fi networks are sometimes much less safe and will be weak to hackers. When accessing delicate accounts, use a VPN or wait till you are on a trusted, safe community. For greatest VPN software program, see my knowledgeable evaluate of one of the best VPNs for shopping the online privately in your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS gadgets
WINDOWS FLAW LETS HACKERS SNEAK INTO YOUR PC OVER WI-FI
Kurt’s key takeaway
The Landmark data breach is only one of a number of data breaches I’ve coated this 12 months. While it’s nonetheless unclear what kind of cyberattack hackers used to interrupt into the insurance firm’s programs, one factor is for certain – they accessed delicate data. Even extra regarding is that hackers acquired into Landmark’s system not as soon as however twice, hinting at some main cybersecurity gaps. If you assume you’ll have been affected, keep vigilant and comply with good cybersecurity practices.
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