Recent Corporate Hacks and What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

The US government has been hacked... I got my notice today that I was "on the list."  South Carolina has been hacked.  Lastpass has been hacked.  Basically, you can be assured that information about everyone on line is in multiple databases being sold to nations, terrorist organizations, companies, and individuals that mean to do you harm.  The information they have includes at least

1. Your name
2. Your email address
3. Some preferences on your buying habits
4. Something about your past employment or activities

In addition, they may have your phone number... how many of you have had mysterious phone calls where you answer and no body is on the other end?  Robo-devices checking whether or not the phone number is active:  premium price to the buyer if legit phone number.  They may have your address and your social security number.   This is China, Russia, ISIS/ISIL, Iran, Pakistan,...  They are not amateurs.

Please begin using two factor authentication on all accounts that offer it.  I use it. This is a difficult topic to describe in a written/short tutorial.  Instead, please go to this UTube and follow what it says:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VUPuf6uwi4.  You can google "Youtube two step verification" and add whatever search terms you want to get other training videos.

For those using Lastpass, Lastpass uses two-step verification, but you have to start it.  Furthermore, it uses, among others, "Google Authenticator," which makes it "easier" to supply the verification number.  To start Lastpass two-step authentication, go to your "My Lastpass Vault" and open your account settings (on the left navigator).  When the new view pops up, click "Multifactor options" in the top menubar.  Follow the directions.   You can select from many different smartphone applications as your "authentication helper," but if you are on google, you might as well have all your authenticator function in one place.

If you need help, let me know...