It was announced last week that hackers stole Social Security Numbers, military records and veterans’ status information, address, birth date, job and pay history, health insurance, life insurance, and pension information (age, gender, race data) when they breached the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, believes that Social Security numbers were not encrypted, which is a cybersecurity failure that is absolutely indefensible and outrageous.
Mike Rogers, the former chairman of the House intelligence committee, said last week that Chinese intelligence agencies have for some time been seeking to assemble a database of information about Americans. Those personal details can be used for blackmail, or also to shape bogus emails designed to appear legitimate while injecting spyware on the networks of government agencies or businesses Chinese hackers are trying to penetrate.
It is very important to be aware of phishing and spear phishing emails. Fraudsters may even pose as Identity Theft or Credit Monitoring companies to get even more information and possibly money from you. The FTC has great resources on combating fraudsters and identity theft. http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0272-how-keep-your-personal-information-secure
