The number of massive data breaches is accelerating, and your personal information is increasingly at risk of being exposed.  In June it was reported that identity verification company AU10TIX had exposed login credentials online, allowing access to sensitive user data including names, birth dates and drivers licenses.  In July the news broke that hackers had stolen phone numbers, call records and text records of up to 109 million AT&T customers.

But the latest exposure of personal information is one of the largest ever, and one of the most serious.  Back in April hackers claimed that they’d accessed the records of 2.7 billion people kept by a company called National Public Data that serves businesses doing background checks.  This month the hackers offered the complete database on-line, which apparently includes names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and e-mail addresses.  Having access to this kind of personal information would make it much easier for hackers to access your accounts, steal money from you or assume your identity.

Massive Data Breach that Includes Social Security Numbers May Be Even Worse than Suspected

This is a huge problem, and it’s only going to get worse.  There are some things you can do to protect yourself.  At the end of the LA Times article above, they offer some good suggestions, to which I would add: Don’t give away any of your personal info unless you really need to.  Retailers and on-line services have become more and more aggressive about asking for your info, and most of they time it’s because they plan to share it with someone else.  Don’t give them your data unless you really need to.  Don’t sign up for services you don’t really need. 

Unfortunately, in our surveillance society, there are also companies collecting your data without your knowledge.  Google, Facebook and others have already been busted for this.  Digital outdoor advertising, including billboards and bus stop displays, is also collecting your device data using wireless technology. 

How much money is being lost due to cybercrime?  According to the FBI, in 2023 over $12 billion was taken.  That number is up $2 billion over 2022 and more than triple the amount reported in 2019.  These numbers are expected to grow.  And as data breaches become more frequent and more significant, hackers will have increasing access to personal info, making their job easier than ever.   

This is why we need to start contacting our elected representatives to ask what they’re going to do to protect us.  What’s really needed is legislation at the national level to set standards for companies that handle personal data, followed up with meaningful enforcement when those companies fail to comply.  Many states are passing laws to address this problem, but in most cases the laws are too limited to offer the kind of protection we need. 

We have to start taking this seriously.  If you think you won’t be a victim, think again.  Millions of people have already been hit by hackers.  Real money is being stolen.  Data brokers are collecting your info every day, and many of them don’t do nearly enough to secure the data.  We have to take action.  This has already gotten way out of hand.