The Fight for Your Data Privacy: It’s Not a Lost Cause
In an era defined by relentless data breaches, the feeling that protecting your identity is a futile endeavor is understandable. Seemingly every week brings news of another massive leak, exposing passwords, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and a host of other personal details onto the dark web. This constant barrage can lead to a sense of helplessness, a belief that our data is already compromised and there’s nothing left to do.
However, security experts resoundingly disagree. While the landscape of data privacy has become increasingly challenging, abandoning the fight is not the answer. There are still proactive steps individuals can take to minimize their risk and safeguard their sensitive information. The key lies in adopting a more mindful approach to data sharing and embracing robust security practices.
The first and perhaps most impactful strategy is to simply resist giving up your data unnecessarily. We are often conditioned to readily provide personal information in exchange for minimal benefits or without questioning the true need for it. Think about the seemingly innocuous requests we encounter daily: that big-box retailer asking for your birthdate to join their loyalty program, a doctor requesting your Social Security number, or your favorite pizza place wanting to store your credit card details for faster ordering.
Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, highlights this issue perfectly: "We’re often asked for our data in situations where it’s not needed." The problem is that each instance of sharing your data creates another potential point of vulnerability. Every time your information is stored in a database, it becomes a target for hackers and a potential source of exposure in the event of a breach.
The sheer scale of past data breaches serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved. Consider the case of National Public Data, a relatively unknown Florida company that acknowledged the theft of 2.9 billion records, encompassing names, addresses, and Social Security numbers spanning decades. Or the even more staggering 2013 Yahoo breach, which compromised 3 billion accounts, exposing a treasure trove of personal information, including names, email addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth.
Even the most secure networks are not immune. The 2017 Equifax breach, which affected nearly 150 million Americans, demonstrated that even credit reporting agencies, institutions entrusted with highly sensitive financial data, can fall victim to sophisticated cyberattacks. More recently, concerns have been raised about Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency gaining access to vast amounts of government records, raising the specter of potential breaches.
Derek Kravitz, deputy editor for special projects at Consumer Reports, underscores the difficulty of maintaining complete control over your personal information. "One thing that is underscored repeatedly is that you just can’t control where your data goes," he says. "Every expert will say it’s unrealistic to think you can control all of the PII [personally identifiable information] that’s out there."
Despite this inherent challenge, it’s crucial not to succumb to apathy. Instead, focus on mitigating the risks by prioritizing the protection of data that is difficult or impossible to replace. Steve Grobman, chief technology officer at McAfee, emphasizes this point: "In safeguarding your data, prioritize data that cannot be easily replaced."
A credit card number can be canceled and reissued, but a birthdate, Social Security number, or driver’s license number is immutable. Once these pieces of information are compromised, the potential for identity theft and misuse is significantly amplified. "If you lose your credit card, you can cancel your credit card," Grobman explains. "By contrast, once your Social Security number is in the wrong hands, there’s not an easy way to take it back."
Therefore, when faced with a request for personal information, take a moment to assess the necessity and potential risks. Ask yourself: "If it does fall into the wrong hands, is it something that you can mitigate completely?" Be particularly cautious when providing immutable data, such as Social Security numbers, birthdates, and driver’s license numbers.
While there are legitimate situations where providing such information is unavoidable, such as when applying for a passport or mortgage, be wary of casual requests from businesses or organizations that may not have a genuine need for it. As Grobman aptly puts it, "Think hard before you give your Social Security number to Bob’s Pizza to join their pizza club."
We often operate on "autopilot" when filling out forms, readily handing over personal data without questioning the request. Kimberly Palmer’s experience at a medical practice illustrates this point. When asked for her Social Security number on a form, she simply left it blank. "I’ve always left it blank, and I’ve never had any problems," she says. "I would definitely encourage people to question whenever they’re asked for data that doesn’t seem necessary."
If someone requests a sensitive piece of personal information, don’t hesitate to inquire about the reason for the request and explore alternative options. "It’s a mindset: Only giving information out that is required," Kravitz advises.
Another critical aspect of data privacy involves being vigilant against scams and phishing attempts. Unsolicited phone calls, emails, and text messages requesting personal data are almost always red flags. Never provide information to someone who initiates contact with you. If you suspect that a request may be legitimate, independently verify the source by visiting the official website or calling the number listed on your statement. "Never engage with somebody who makes the contact to you," Grobman warns. "Don’t click on the links in the email."
Scammers often employ a sense of urgency to pressure victims into divulging information. If a communication sounds urgent, exercise extra caution and resist the urge to act immediately. "When you’re in these situations, step one is just to stop," Grobman says. "There’s almost nothing in this world where acting instantly is required."
Beyond mindful data sharing, there are other essential security measures you should implement to protect your online accounts and personal information.
One of the most effective tools is multifactor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. With MFA enabled, even if a hacker obtains your username and password, they will still need a second factor, such as a PIN sent to your phone, to access your account. "Multifactor authentication can keep identity thieves from accessing your accounts if they only have your username and password," says Margaret Poe, head of consumer credit education at TransUnion. Scam victims often report that they neglected to enable two-step authentication on their compromised accounts.
Finally, it’s crucial to practice good password hygiene. Simple, predictable passwords are easy targets for hackers, and overused passwords are often found on the dark web. "It’s best practice to update your passwords regularly, and use complex, unique passwords or passphrases for all of your accounts," Poe advises.
Using a password manager can greatly simplify this process. Password managers can generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and securely store them, eliminating the need to remember dozens of complex passwords. Several reputable password managers are available, including Google Password Manager, Apple iCloud Keychain, Microsoft Authenticator, Bitwarden, and 1Password.
In conclusion, while the fight for data privacy may seem daunting in the face of constant data breaches, it is not a lost cause. By adopting a more cautious approach to data sharing, prioritizing the protection of immutable data, being vigilant against scams, enabling multifactor authentication, and practicing good password hygiene, individuals can significantly reduce their risk and safeguard their sensitive information in an increasingly vulnerable digital landscape. The key is to be proactive, informed, and persistent in your efforts to protect your data privacy.
