T-Mobile Data Breach: How Can One Ensure Cyber Safety?

Are you a regular internet surfer? Or do you prefer to use an incognito browsing mode on your smartphone or any other digital device?

Without question, the Internet is one of the most valuable resources accessible to humankind. Lamentably, it may be pretty hazardous if you aren't aware of who and what is lurking behind the scenes. Everyone should know how to be secure when using the Internet, yet there is no one-stop shop for internet safety advice and tactics.

While surfing the net, have you ever wondered that there might be someone who is watching over why, where, when, and what you've been searching for?

As shown in the famous documentary, The Social Dilemma, the Internet is a very massive world that can be both useful and harmful at the same time, depending upon how you use it. 

The 21st-century documentary also focuses on how renowned social media giants utilize algorithms to deceive consumers and foster addiction to their services. It also depicts, somewhat correctly, how platforms gather personal data to target users with advertisements — and how they have mostly remained uncontrolled to until point.

If you are an internet fanatic, you definitely would have come across the term cyber safety. Nothing fancier, Cyber Security is nothing but the preventive measures that an individual takes to be safe and secure on the Internet.

One of America's leading mobile networks, T-Mobile, has been dedicatedly serving its consumers with wireless voice, message, and data networking services in the United States since 1994.

It is the second-largest mobile network services provider in the US, which offers a wide range of unlimited plans to the techno-savvy generation so that their connectivity with the Internet never gets cracked or busted.

T-systems Mobile has once again fallen prey to hacking, bringing to light the company's fourth data breach since early 2020. This time, the haul comprised sensitive personal data for over 48 million people, the majority of whom were past or potential clients of the self-styled "un-carrier."

After declining subsequently to give a public statement, T-Mobile has finally decided to break the silence and has verified claims of a vast data breach this week, in which cybercriminals stole private information from more than 40 million past, current, and future customers. 

Regrettably, the firm — and its consumers — are no strangers to data theft. For some people, this means that their complete name, date of birth, Social Security number, and even details from their driver's license are auctioned online for acquiring a small amount of Bitcoins and Cryptocurrency.

The grim fact is that no one is entirely safe from cyber-attacks. Here's how to avoid them, whether they're from unscrupulous data robbers or government-sponsored spies.

However, if you're serious about being secure online and providing yourself with the required protection, you'll need to go above and beyond the standard precautions. Here are some tips to help you keep yourself safe in the cyberspace:

1. Make Sure Your Phone Is Up-To-Date

When it comes to safeguarding oneself against hackers, the first step is to constantly apply software updates as soon as they become accessible, valid for both smartphones and computers. Yes, upgrading may be a time-consuming and inconvenient procedure, and it can occasionally result in annoyances in the system you're used to.

Nonetheless, a large percentage of successful hacks use flaws that have already been addressed in the software update. Thus try and update your smartphone regularly to avoid exposing oneself needlessly.

2. Be Careful While Installing A Third-Party Application

When you install an application on your smartphone, you may be prompted to allow it rights by reading your files, accessing your camera, or listening in on your microphone. These powers have simple applications, but they may also be abused, so consider twice before granting the request.

This is especially true for Android users, as Google's application examining procedure isn't as rigorous as Apple's, and dangerous apps have been reported to linger months on the Play Store before being discovered and removed.

3. Secure Password Protection with Face ID, Pin, or Fingerprint

Your most basic form of protection, particularly in the event of loss or theft, is to lock your phone with a face ID, a fingerprint, a pattern, or a pin. Take it a step further for additional security. Secure your phone's accounts with strong passwords and use two-factor authentication on applications that support it, adding another layer of protection.

Those who know your phone's default password, which is typically straightforward and foreseeable, can reap the benefits of it. Change your code to something more complicated, and avoid the widely used "1234," "0000," and "2486" codes.

4. Always Lock Your Smartphone When Not In Use

A thief who has physical access to your phone might cause a lot of problems. For starters, your email app most likely stores a wealth of personal data. When not in use, make sure your phone is locked: both Android and iOS may be configured to require a six-digit passcode. Other methods, such as fingerprints or face recognition, may be available on your device.

Such techniques aren't perfect – a determined hacker might duplicate your biometrics from a glass bottle or fool a webcam with a picture of yours – but something is always better than nothing.

5. Do Not Connect To Open Source Public Networks

Hackers frequently target vital places such as financial institutions via public WiFi, commonly unprotected due to low or non-existent security requirements. Don't connect to public WiFi networks unless you're protected. When using unsafe public networks such as those found at airports, cafés, and hotels, a VPN hides your connection from hackers, enabling you to connect discreetly.

With a VPN connection, you can be confident that your sensitive data, documents, and activities are safe from prying eyes, which is reassuring given the number of people who use the Internet.

Whether you visit the same websites regularly or are a work-from-home individual, it is essential to be cautious of cyber threats and ensure your data is secure.

So, now that you know a few tips on being safe while surfing the Internet, keep them in mind and stick to their usage whenever you interact with the World Wide Web, commonly known as the Internet.