Massive Data Breach Exposes Personal Information: Here’s What You Need to Know and How TruAdvantage Can Help Protect You
In September 2024, National Public Data, a prominent consumer data broker, confirmed that a massive data breach has exposed the personal records of millions of individuals. Sensitive information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and Social Security numbers has been compromised, potentially affecting up to 2.9 billion people. The breach highlights the increasing threats facing businesses and individuals alike—making it more critical than ever to ensure that your IT systems and personal data are fully protected.
As a Bay Area-based, award-winning IT firm, TruAdvantage specializes in helping businesses secure their networks and protect against cyber threats like the one seen in this breach. With over 100 small to medium-sized businesses trusting us for managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions, we are committed to delivering enterprise-level security and peace of mind. Here’s what you need to know about this breach and how TruAdvantage can help you safeguard your data.
What Happened in the National Public Data Breach?
National Public Data, a well-known data broker that provides background checks, criminal records, and other sensitive personal information to various industries, suffered a cyberattack that compromised their database. The breach, which likely began in December 2023, was attributed to a cybercriminal identified as “USDoD,” who posted the stolen information in criminal forums.
In April 2024, the hacker released the stolen dataset, and by August 2024, the breach data was freely available on multiple forums, allowing criminals to easily access it. This compromised data included not only Social Security numbers but also address histories, phone numbers, and email addresses of millions of people—many of whom may not even know their information was exposed.
While the official breach notice reported that 1.3 million records were impacted, cybersecurity experts suggest that the breach may have affected up to 2.9 billion records, amplifying the potential for identity theft, fraud, and cybercrime.
Why is This Breach So Dangerous?
At first glance, some of the compromised information—like addresses and phone numbers—might seem like details easily found online. But the real danger lies in consolidating this sensitive data into one location. It gives criminals a one-stop shop for valuable personal details they can use to:
- Open fraudulent credit accounts or apply for loans in your name.
- Bypass security measures on your accounts using common security question answers (such as childhood street names or the last digits of your Social Security number).
- Conduct phishing and smishing (SMS phishing) attacks to gather even more sensitive information or access your private accounts.
It’s critical to stay vigilant, as the stolen data can be leveraged to commit identity theft and fraud. That’s why it’s essential to act quickly to protect your personal information and ensure your business is fully secured against these threats.
Could You Be Affected Even If You’ve Never Heard of National Public Data?
Yes, it’s entirely possible that you’re impacted, even if you’ve never directly interacted with National Public Data. Many businesses, landlords, government agencies, and other organizations regularly use data brokers like National Public Data to access information on individuals for background checks or other purposes. So, your data might be at risk, even if you haven’t directly opted into their services.
This is where TruAdvantage’s managed cybersecurity solutions come in. We help businesses and individuals safeguard sensitive data by offering proactive security measures and 24/7 support to prevent breaches before they happen.
What Should You Do to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft and Cybercrime?
If you’re concerned that your data may have been exposed, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to protect yourself. Here's what you can do:
Step 1: Check If Your Data Has Been Exposed
Use trusted breach detection tools such as the National Public Data Breach Tool or other resources to determine if your information was compromised. If your data has been leaked, you’ll want to take action right away.
Step 2: Freeze Your Credit and Set Up Alerts
One of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft is by freezing your credit with the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. This will stop anyone (including cybercriminals) from opening new lines of credit in your name.
- Request a free copy of your credit report from the credit bureaus.
- Freeze your credit (a free and simple process that takes just a few minutes).
- Set up fraud alerts to monitor any suspicious activity on your accounts.
If you have other adults in your household, it’s a good idea to freeze their credit as well. Anyone with a Social Security number is vulnerable to identity theft after a breach of this magnitude.
Step 3: Be Aware of Phishing and Smishing Scams
Cybercriminals often follow data breaches by sending phishing emails or smishing messages to trick you into revealing more personal information. Be cautious when receiving unsolicited communication via phone, email, or text. Do not click on any links or share personal details unless you are certain of the recipient’s identity.
How TruAdvantage Can Help Protect Your Business and Data
As a cybersecurity-focused IT firm with over a decade of experience, TruAdvantage is here to help you safeguard your business from the growing threat of data breaches. Our managed IT services, including 24/7 support, security assessments, and advanced protection against ransomware, hackers, and insider threats, provide the proactive security you need to stay protected.
We specialize in ensuring that your data remains safe and secure with enterprise-level cybersecurity solutions tailored to small and medium businesses. Whether you need help with data protection, cloud security, compliance, or IT strategy, TruAdvantage offers the expertise and resources you need to stay ahead of cyber threats.
Here are just a few reasons why over 100 businesses in the Bay Area trust TruAdvantage for their IT support and cybersecurity needs:
- 24/7 Live Support—We answer calls with real people, offering the kind of personalized support you’d expect from an in-house IT team, at a fraction of the cost.
- Award-Winning Service—We’re ranked as one of the top IT firms in California, based on client satisfaction and our commitment to delivering strategic IT solutions.
- No Hidden Fees—We offer fixed-cost, tailored IT services, so you can budget with confidence.
- Comprehensive Security—From ransomware defense to compliance, we offer advanced security solutions to protect your business and data.
If you’re worried that your business or personal data might be exposed, let TruAdvantage help you perform a FREE Security Risk Assessment. We’ll conduct a thorough assessment of your network and provide you with a roadmap to ensure your data is fully protected.
Schedule Your FREE Security Risk Assessment Today
To book your FREE Security Risk Assessment or learn more about how TruAdvantage can help secure your IT infrastructure, call us today at 408-680-8389 or click here to schedule your consultation.
Protect your business. Protect your data. With TruAdvantage on your side, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your network is safe from breaches and cyber threats.
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