National Public Data Breach: What You Need to Know and What to Do Next
The recent breach at National Public Data (NPD) has exposed the personal information of nearly 3 billion individuals, making it one of the largest data breaches in history. This breach includes sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and details about family members. Despite the magnitude of this incident, NPD has not notified the affected individuals, leaving many unaware that their personal information may have been compromised.
How the Breach Came to Light
The public became aware of the NPD breach on August 13, 2024, when a class action lawsuit was filed, bringing the breach into the public record.
The lawsuit revealed that the breach had been ongoing for months, with the lead plaintiff discovering the compromise only in July 2024, thanks to an alert from his identity theft protection service. NPD did not inform the victims, and it was only through this legal action that the breach was disclosed to the wider public.
The breach was initially discovered when the hacker group USDoD listed the stolen data for sale on a dark web forum, offering it for $3.5 million. The compromised dataset spans from 2019 to 2024 and includes 277.1 GB of highly sensitive information belonging to individuals in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The Growing Threat of Data Breaches
Data breaches are becoming increasingly frequent, with over 1,500 reported incidents in the first half of 2024 alone, affecting around 1 billion people, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. The frequency and scale of these breaches highlight the critical need for proactive data protection and prompt communication from organizations when breaches occur.
What to Do Next
Request a Credit Report: Regularly request a free credit report from the major credit bureaus to check for any unusual activity. This is essential for early detection of identity theft or fraud.
Set Up Fraud Alerts: If you suspect your information was compromised, place a fraud alert on your credit report to make it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
Consider a Credit Freeze: For extra protection, you can freeze your credit, preventing lenders from accessing your credit report until you lift the freeze.
Monitor Financial Accounts Closely: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Consult with Your IT Group: If you are part of an organization, ask your IT group about steps they are taking to mitigate the impact of the breach. This may include enhancing security protocols, reviewing access controls, and ensuring that all sensitive data is properly encrypted.
Staying Informed
Staying updated on developments related to this breach is crucial. Keep an eye on updates from your identity theft protection provider, check reputable news sources, and consider subscribing to services that alert you if your data appears in new leaks.
If you need assistance in securing your personal or organizational data, Covenant Computing, LLC is here to help. Our team of cybersecurity professionals can provide tailored protection measures to safeguard your information and mitigate the risks associated with data breaches. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can support your security needs.
Taking proactive steps now can help protect you from the potential fallout of this significant breach. Don’t wait—ensure your data is protected.
