In the News
First Facebook, then Instagram: data exposure continues to plague the social media industry. In Instagram Bug, Now Fixed, Exposed User Passwords, Kacy Zurkus at Infosecurity Magazine discusses the impact of a now fixed bug on the social media platform, Instagram. Zurkus explains that by utilizing the Download You Data tool, users were sent an email exposing their passwords in the contents of a URL. Zurkus emphasizes the importance of ‘comprehensive cybersecurity measures’ to adequately secure user’s data.
Our Take
Password security is vital in the Age of the Internet. Receiving your password through an email is potentially dangerous because most emails are not sent with proper encryption meaning that there is potential for the email account to be hacked. Unfortunately, many people still use the same password for multiple accounts, thus making the idea of a password breach more harmful. If your password is breached through email hacking or another data breach, the ‘key’ to any account that utilizes the password is also compromised. With the normalization of online shopping, subscription services, and online finances, the reality of having your password and thus account breached could be detrimental to your finances. In addition to advocating for cybersecurity measures on the corporate front, being proactive about protecting not only your accounts but also your passwords are the best way to secure your information and your finances.
Recommendations
How can you protect your data and personal information from being exposed?
- Understand the risks of putting your personal information into the world, and only share what you have to
- Don’t reuse your account passwords, and take advantage of multi-factor authentication whenever possible
- Be aware of default settings on mobile apps and turn on privacy settings as needed
- Stay up to date on the news regarding recent security breaches to see if you may have been affected