NEW YORK (WABC) — In an era where data breaches are commonplace, protecting your online accounts is more critical than ever. From health insurance providers to online ticket services, cybercriminals constantly seek vulnerabilities. Your password is often the first line of defense.
“Your password is online gold! It’s the major firewall between hackers and your life. It protects your bank, medical, and social media accounts,” stressed Pineda.
Remember the Ticketmaster and AT&T data breaches of the past year? Millions of profiles were potentially compromised. So, how can you find out if your information was part of these hacks? There are several websites that can help.
You can use tools like Aura’s dark web scanner, or check websites such as Social Catfish and Have I Been Pwned, which is short for “password owned.”
Pineda ran her own email address through Have I Been Pwned and discovered it had been part of 12 breaches, including those from Ticketfly, the ParkMobile app, and Home Chef.
But passwords aren’t the only thing to worry about. Pineda teamed up with Social Catfish, a California-based cybersecurity company, to investigate how easy it is to find personal information online.
The results were concerning. Using only Pineda’s name, Social Catfish conducted a deep dive and found disturbing results.
“Literally in four minutes, Nina, I was able to find your email and password that you’ve used in the past. You may even currently use it,” said David McClellan, from Social Catfish.
“Wait, wait. David, in four minutes you found my email with password combo?” Pineda asked.
The findings were a wake-up call.
“One of them actually has your email in the description,” McClellan said.
“Wait a minute, that’s my cell!” Pineda exclaimed, shocked by the ease with which this information was located.
So, how can you fight back against this? First, search for yourself online. If your email and personal information show up in Google Chrome, here’s what you can do:
- Click the three dots.
- Then select “remove results” from the left-hand window that pops up.
- Select “It shows my personal contact info”
- Fill out the form and submit.
Google will email you the results of your request.
Here’s how to create a really secure password, according to McClellan. He recommends starting with a random short phrase, such as “I love the sun”—something that is memorable for you. Then, implement these guidelines:
- Add spaces between the words.
- Include a number or two, like the number seven.
- Incorporate symbols, such as a dollar sign or exclamation point.
- Capitalize some of the words.
By following these steps, you can significantly enhance your online security.
