A massive data breach exposes the information of 800,000 insurance customers

In the past few months, we have seen a a wave of data breaches affecting millions of people, from large health care groups to government contractors and more. This latest incident is just one more in a long line of horrific crimes. Now, insurance management services company Landmark Admin has warned that the May cyberattack affected more than 800,000 people.

Landmark Admin has partnered with some of the largest insurance companies in the US, including American Monumental Life Insurance Company, Pellerin Life Insurance Company and American Benefit Life Insurance Company.

Through these transactions, millions of policyholders and their sensitive information, such as names, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and passport numbers, could be at risk of exposure, which which increases the potential impact of this breach.

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What you need to know

In a report to the Maine attorney general’s office, Landmark disclosed that it experienced unusual activity on its systems on May 13, 2024, which led it to shut down the affected systems. and block remote access to its network (in its own way). The Sleeping Computer).

Landmark brought in a dedicated third-party cyber security team to help secure systems and conduct a thorough investigation to understand the scope of the breach. But while they were looking at it, the hackers were able to get back into the Landmark system on June 17, 2024.

Investigations by the cybersecurity team showed data was being encrypted and stolen from Landmark’s systems. According to the investigation, criminals may have gained unauthorized access to the personal information of affected individuals, which may include full name, address, Social Security number, tax ID, driver or government issued ID number, passport number, bank details, medical. details, health insurance number, date of birth and information about life policies and annuities.

BIG DATA SEARCH EXPOSES PERSONAL INFORMATION OF 3 MILLION AMERICANS TO COMPUTER USERS.

What does Landmark do after the crime?

Landmark offers free identity theft protection services for victims of crime. It also notifies anyone whose information may have been in its systems at the time of the breach. Individual notices will be sent by US first-class mail, originating in groups as they identify the individuals who may be affected. The first wave of letters was sent Oct. 23, 2024.

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9 ways to protect yourself from data breaches

1. Enable two-factor authentication: Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security on all your important accounts, including email, banking and social media. Two-factor authentication requires you to provide a second piece of information, such as a code sent to your phone, along with your password when you sign in. This makes it harder for criminals to access your accounts, even if they have your password. . Enabling 2FA can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect your sensitive data.

2. View your accounts and activities: You should check your online accounts and transactions regularly for any suspicious or unauthorized activity. If you notice anything unusual, immediately report it to the service provider or the authorities. You should also check your credit reports and information to see if there are any signs of identity theft or fraud.

3. Contact your bank and credit card companies: Hackers have obtained your bank and credit card details, which they can use to make purchases or withdraw money without your permission. You should inform your bank and credit card companies about this situation. They can help you suspend or cancel your cards, dispute any fraud charges and issue you new cards.

You should also contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and request a fraud alert to be placed on your credit file. This will make it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without verification. You can even freeze your loan if necessary.

4. Use services to remove your data: Due to these ongoing data breaches, protecting personal data has become a priority. Another step is to consider personal data removal services, which specialize in monitoring and removing information from various internet sites and websites. These services use advanced tools and techniques to identify and remove your personal information from search engines, data brokers and other platforms where your personal information may be exposed. By using a data removal service, you can reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud, especially after a crime. In addition, these services often provide continuous monitoring and alerting, notifying you of any new levels of your data appearing online and taking immediate action to remove it. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

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5. Have powerful antivirus software: As cyberthreats grow in frequency and sophistication, strong antivirus software is also essential to prevent malware and phishing attacks, both of which can expose your personal information if left unattended.

The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, which can access your private information, is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Find out my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

6. Use strong, unique passwords: A secure way to access your accounts is important. Using strong, unique passwords for each account is an effective deterrent against unauthorized access, especially when data breaches put your information at significant risk. Avoid reusing passwords on multiple accounts. A strong password typically contains a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters and is at least 12 characters long. Consider using a password manager helping to generate and securely store complex passwords.

7. Keep your software updated: Older software may contain vulnerabilities that criminals exploit. Make sure your operating system, apps and browsers are updated to the latest versions to close any security gaps.

8. Limit your online sharing: Be careful about sharing your personal information on social media or other platforms, as criminals can use this data for phishing purposes. Make sure to adapt privacy settings on your social media accounts so that only trusted friends can view your profile information.

9. Avoid public Wi-Fi for light interactions: Public Wi-Fi networks are often not very secure and can be vulnerable to hacking. When accessing important accounts, use a VPN or wait until you’re on a trusted, secure network. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for private browsing for you Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices

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Kurt’s most important thing

The Landmark data breach is just one of many data breaches I’ve covered this year. While it is still unclear what type of cyberattack criminals used to break into the insurance company’s systems, one thing is certain – they got serious information. Even more concerning is that hackers broke into Landmark’s system not once but twice, citing major cybersecurity gaps. If you think you are affected, stay vigilant and follow cybersecurity best practices.

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