Social Security Numbers Reportedly Stolen in Hack: What to Know

Social Security Numbers Reportedly Stolen in Hack: What to Know

Hackers could have gained access to private data of millions of individuals through a background checking company known as National Public Data. Do you need to be concerned? We’ve got some suggestions.

By Ron Lieber

Aug 15, 2024 06:32 PM

 

Business |What to Know About the Latest Social Security Number Breach

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/15/business/social-security-numbers-stolen-hack.html

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The details are hazy. On April 1, Hackmanac is a security firm, posted on X that around 2.9 billion personal information were available for purchase from individuals in Canada, the United States, Canada and Britain. The data was believed to be taken by National Public Data which conducts background checks.

The company was the subject of a class-action lawsuit, that Bloomberg Law recently published, claiming that hackers gained Social Security numbers in the breach. Bleeping Computer, a technology and security magazine, rounded up reports of hackers leaked large amounts of data.

We’ll never be able to determine the severity of the breach, and its subsequent release. However, I’m not certain the details are important.

Security breaches are happening every day. Criminals often discover vulnerabilities in large systems, and exploit the weaknesses.

Our inability to protect our data and security is a source of great annoyance however, in the short – and medium term, all that we have to do is to lock ourselves as tightly as we can.

Here are some tips on what you can do to make it happen.

Control Anxiety

Keep in mind that some thieves take advantage of their power to steal because they are able. If they don’t utilize obtained information to gain access, then you shouldn’t have an issue.

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