Everything that has the word digital appended to it encompasses in some form of data transfer through a secure connection and data bypass. Whether it’s the credentials to our Facebook accounts, online banking, bill pay, credit cards, or anything of sorts, there’s data encryption involved. These days hackers have nothing better than to do than scratch their egos. We saw this happen in the Ferguson situation where several local municipalities were infiltrated and now by the looks of things Anthem gets plunged.
According to online sources, on January 29, 2015 some 8 million non-customers were potentially impacted. This includes the infiltration of private user information such as account credentials, passwords, and plan ids. Wait, did they state 8 million non-customers? What about data stolen from actual customer base? Did they forget to accidentally mention that?
The Notice from Anthem
On February 26, 2015 I received a friendly e-mail from Anthem advising me of the recent hack attack they experienced. Due to privacy issues and proprietary information I’m unable to fully disclose all of the information encompassed within the actual e-mail context. Did Anthem really wait almost a full month to notify its user base? Something of this magnitude should have been addressed with immediate attention. It remains questionable to me as to why Anthem would wait nearly a full month to advise consumers on the cyber attack.
Improvements to Cyber Security
Back in January 2015, the White House Office of the Press Secretary made a public announcement regarding improvements to cyberspace security. A vast majority of the statement and a future plan would entail in refining the communication of data between the private sector and U.S. government. I’m not sure how I feel about that just yet. How about you? Are you feeling warm and fuzzy hearing about that?
Tips for Securing Yourself in the Digital Space
As we move forward in the digital realm, it’s imperative to ensure that you’re continuously protected. The last thing anyone wants is to be the victim of identify theft or a hack. Whether it’s on your website or a personal bank account. So, here’s a few tips to follow in ensuring that you don’t end up as the next prey.
- Most important rule to remember. It’s your responsibility!
- Change your passwords once a month. Some may argue more frequently but once a month will suffice. Social media avenues, bank account, credit cards, e-mail, etc.
- Inventory all digital accounts and store in a secure place. A spreadsheet may be a feasible approach so you have a documented reference for quick access
- Maintain a pulse on any security updates that may come down the pipe. Pay attention to the impact they may have upon you as a consumer
- Keep an eye out for suspicious activity. For example, if you happen to notice inconsistent behavior on one of your accounts then perhaps it may be time to reach out to support and inquire further about it
- Always prioritize the most sensitive accounts in ensuring a targeted focus on consistent upkeep