Paramount Pictures, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS, recently disclosed a data breach that occurred on August 30, 2023. The company said that the breach exposed the personal information of some of its employees and customers.
What Information Was Compromised?
The personal information that was compromised in the Paramount data breach includes names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. The breach also exposed some financial information, such as credit card numbers and bank account numbers.
How Did the Breach Happen?
The Paramount data breach was caused by a phishing attack. Phishing attacks are emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company. The emails often contain a link that, when clicked, takes the victim to a fake website that looks like the real website. Once the victim enters their personal information on the fake website, the attackers steal it.
What Should You Do If You Were Impacted by the Breach?
If you believe that you were impacted by the Paramount data breach, you should take the following steps:
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert tells creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening a new account in your name.
- Sign up for free credit monitoring. This will allow you to track your credit report for any unauthorized activity.
- Monitor your bank accounts for any unauthorized activity. If you see any suspicious activity, contact your bank immediately.
- Report the breach to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this online at ftc.gov/complaint.
- Consider taking out identity theft insurance. This type of insurance can help to cover the costs of repairing your identity if it is stolen.
What Can Businesses Do to Prevent Data Breaches?
Businesses can take steps to prevent data breaches by implementing strong security measures, such as:
- Using multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication requires users to enter two or more pieces of information to authenticate themselves, such as a password and a code from their phone.
- Keeping software up to date: Software updates often include security patches that can help to protect systems from cyberattacks.
- Educating employees about cybersecurity risks: Employees should be taught how to spot phishing emails and other forms of cyberattacks.
- Regularly scanning systems for vulnerabilities: This will help to identify and fix security weaknesses in systems.
- Having a plan in place in case of a data breach: This plan should include steps for notifying affected individuals, offering credit monitoring services, and investigating the attack.
By taking these steps, businesses can help to protect their sensitive data from cyberattacks.
Conclusion
The Paramount data breach is a reminder that even large, well-funded companies are not immune to cyberattacks. Businesses need to take cybersecurity seriously and implement strong security measures to protect their sensitive data.
Here are some additional tips that you can include in your article:
- Be careful about what information you share online: Do not share your personal information, such as your Social Security number or date of birth, with anyone you do not trust.
- Use strong passwords: Passwords should be at least 12 characters long and include a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts: If a password is compromised, it could be used to access other accounts.
- Be aware of the latest cybersecurity threats: Stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats so that you can take steps to protect yourself.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from cyberattacks.
Jake Doe is a security expert and news editor of Reviewedbypro.com. His major is Communication and Journalism, which he obtained from the Washington and Jefferson College.
