What Is a Data Breach?

As a consumer, you’re on a host of websites daily. Companies use their website to interact with customers and collect information from them, too. When you make a purchase with a business, they collect data about you.

Companies must keep the information they collect from you private unless they specify otherwise in their privacy policies.

A data breach occurs when the information a company gathers about or from you is accessed by someone who doesn’t have the authority to access that information. Data breaches can also occur by accident. An employee might make an error that makes information available to anyone.

Data breaches are more likely when someone intentionally comes looking for this treasure trove of private data. Hackers will seek information from a company, looking for sensitive personal information they can use nefariously.

To know if you have been affected by a data breach, you should monitor your personal accounts and digital platforms for any unusual activities. Companies that suffer data breaches often notify affected individuals via email or through their official website. Moreover, there are various online tools and resources where you can check if your data has been compromised. It is important to stay vigilant and to regularly review your financial statements and digital accounts for any signs of unauthorized access or misuse.

Contact our team today if you’ve faced a data breach.