Digital threats take on many forms. They can range from security vulnerabilities affecting devices and software, to online data breaches where personal information is stolen by cybercriminals.

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all incident response plan, and it can be frustrating to have limited control over how to react. Whereas a security vulnerability can be fixed in a matter of minutes by simply downloading and installing a patch,  a data breach can affect victims for years to come. 

In the latest edition of BlackCloak’s Thursday Threat Update, we take a look at a recently released security patch for a popular web browser, and a new slate of warnings for those impacted by last year’s T-Mobile data breach. 

Attorneys General issue warning to T-Mobile data breach victims

What we know: Attorneys Generals from around the U.S. are warning victims of the 2021 T-Mobile data breach to take extra steps to protect themselves after information stolen from the cyberattack was found on the dark web. AGs from Washington, Delaware, Iowa and West Virginia are among the officials who have so far advised their constituents to take precautions. The T-Mobile breach, which was discovered last August, affected at least 53 million people.

Recommendations: If you are, or suspect you may be, a victim of the T-Mobile data breach, monitor your online accounts for any suspicious activity and consider placing a credit freeze and fraud alert on your financial accounts. The AGs recommend visiting IdentityTheft.gov if you believe you have been the victim of identity theft. Individuals can also file complaints on the AGs’ respective websites. 

Mozilla unveils updated Firefox browser to patch vulnerabilities

What we know: Mozilla has released the latest version of its Firefox browser after it discovered a pair of “severe” zero-day vulnerabilities being exploited by cybercriminals to commandeer  devices and launch cyberattacks. If left unpatched, the vulnerability enables hackers to enter a remote command to download malicious malware and allow them to take over someone else’s mobile device or crash one of its programs. In addition to patching the flaw, Mozilla included privacy-focused features in its release of Firefox 98.

Recommendations: If you are a frequent Firefox user, download the latest version of the browser as soon as possible. The steps for updating Firefox, including how to turn on automatic updates, can be found here. Moving forward, avoid saving passwords and other sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, on the browser itself. Consider investing in a password security manager if you don’t already use one. While it remains unknown whether saved information has been stolen, you do not want to run the risk of a future vulnerability leaving you open to theft.

Proactive data breach protection can reduce but not eliminate risks 

Cyberattacks are unfortunately commonplace in the digital world, as cybercriminals are always on the hunt for your valuable information. However, that does not mean you are defenseless. You can take steps to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a cybercrime as well as minimize your risk exposure should personal information fall into the wrong hands.

Learn more about how to protect yourself and your family from becoming victims of identity theft and when to use credit freezes and fraud alerts.