Cyber Security (Or lack of.)
Hi Everyone
I received an email recently from Easyjet (aka Sleazyjet), one of the biggest budget airlines in Europe to let me know that they had been subject to a cyber security attack and some of my personal details had been accessed.
Here's a screenshot of what they revealed to me had been accessed:
It is of course worrying that my email address and details about my travel history are now in the hands of criminals.
Although they assure me that my passport and credit card details were not accessed, as you can imagine I am going to be wary about any emails I receive over the coming weeks and I'll be carefully scrutinising my credit card statements.
While there is nothing I could have personally done to prevent this, it's a reminder of the importance of keeping up your guard online.
It's important that you use a strong password for any online service that you absolutely don't want anyone to access - eg online banking, PayPal etc.
I wrote a blog on creating strong but memorable passwords a few months ago:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/dave07/blog/a-simple-method-for-generating-good-passwords
It's also important to be wary of phishing emails that appear to be from companies like Amazon, EBay, PayPal, or your bank which ask you to click a link in the email and enter your details to update something, reactivate your account, or verify a transaction.
The simple piece of advice to remember is: Never, Ever, click on a link in an email that might take you to somewhere needing sensitive information.
Stay safe online as well as in the real world!
Regards
Dave
Recent Comments
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More importantly check your online bank account for unwarranted withdrawals. I do it every morning at breakfast it only takes a few minutes. I even found the ones for under $10.00 that they try to sneak through for a monthly basis. I am not surprised at all the activity regarding fishing, identity theft and hacking. These people that are doing it are the best there is. When you look at Banks, Insurance companies, lower level of government employees etc., these employees are not paid enough to compete with these geniuses. This week I saw on television that Boston University is teaching cyber internet security so that where they work they will be up to speed. It is sad like a lot of things lately but it will get better. Keep up the good work.
Hi Edward
You are very wise to be careful about these things and stay alert.
I know what you mean about the small withdrawals - something similar happened to a friend of mine and she didnt catch on for a few months!
Cheers
Dave
I heard about that a couple of months ago from the Cyber security email I get Dave. They have been very slow to confess as most of these companies are.
Didn't think much about it as we don't like flying.
There have been warnings about emails coming through with scammers already started by offering a refund, 'just click this link.'
Hi Linda
Yes that's the sort of believable thing that would catch people out.
Thankfully I'm not waiting for a refund from them.
It's important that we keep our guard and watch out for people who might be vulnerable.
Thanks
Dave
Hi Dave, I got the same email too but I think last time I flew with them was May last year and that was through my work. Thankfully I don’t use EasyJet personally.
You’re right though, I’ve had so many emails supposedly from PayPal and also Tesco’s too but when you click on the email address it’s from a random email address.
Everybody needs to be so careful.
Hi Alex
I'm glad you are wise to the scammers by verifying the email address. Usually its an obviously fake address.
Unfortunately Easyjet is like the national airline of Northern Ireland so I do most of my flights with them now that Fly-maybe have gone bust.
Stay safe
Dave
That was very decent of you!
I'm sorry to hear you got caught out. It has happened to me too. Somebody had a night in a hotel (a Travelodge believe it or not) and 4 new tyres courtesy of me a few years ago.
Yes I received the same email Dave. Definitely worrying. Mine just said that customer details had been leaked but didn’t refer specifically to me.
Hi Alice
Perhaps if you hadn't flown during that time period then there was no data on you to be taken.
Nevertheless it's worrying that criminals have some of your details.
Cheers
Dave
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Hi Dave,
Sorry to hear your account was accessed.....
Heard last week about the EasyJet data breach, when the aviation industry is at an all time low this couldn’t have come at a worse time....
We have travelled a lot with EasyJet but touch wood we have not had our account compromised.....
You are so right about passwords, my problem is I set these new super safe passwords, with the intention of changing every 10 weeks only to find the next time I log in I can’t remember where I stored this sensitive information nor able to remember which save version I used.....have to click “forgotten “forgotten password”
Enjoy the rest of your bank holiday... 🌞
Hi Cordelia
Yes remembering the passwords is the trick!
It's unfortunate when our data falls into the wrong hands but it's important that we stay alert and don't fall into any traps.
Thanks
Dave