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Attorney General Mike DeWine
Russian Hacker
Breach Consumer Tips
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today encouraged
consumers to change their passwords and to monitor their accounts
following news that Russian hackers have stolen more than a billion
user IDs and passwords.
“When a security breach is announced, it is a good reminder to take
steps to protect your personal information," Attorney General DeWine
said. "Even if you don't know whether or not you have been directly
affected, take common-sense steps to protect yourself. A good place to
start is by changing your passwords and carefully monitoring your
accounts.”
Attorney General DeWine offered consumers the following tips:
If you have online accounts, change your passwords. If you have used
the same password for multiple accounts, consider changing those
passwords as well.
Choose a different password for each of your online accounts.
Create passwords that are long and complex, using a variety of numbers,
letters, and characters. Rather than choosing a word, consider picking
a familiar phrase and using the first letter of each word, followed by
a random number. For example, you could use the phrase “My dog’s name
is Brutus!” and choose the password, “MdniB!579.”
Change your passwords often.
Don’t store passwords or account username reminders on smartphones or
computers. This personal information could be compromised by a computer
virus.
Beware of possible scams related to the breach. For example, watch out
for email or text messages that instruct you to click on a link to
“change your password.” Some scammers may use the announcement as ploy
to get you to click on malicious links.
Monitor your financial accounts, email accounts, and mail for signs of
identity theft, such as unexpected bills or credit report errors.
Consumers who want additional information or those who suspect identity
theft should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515
or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov. The Ohio Attorney General’s Identity
Theft Unit helps victims rectify the effects of identity theft.
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