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Millions of Americans fell victim to data breaches in 2024.
689 million records were leaked as the number of global data breaches was eight times higher than in 2023.
The US recorded 689 million breaches alone, up from the 496 million experienced in 2023.
Russia ranked second, with 921 million, and China topped the list with 939.5 million.
The three countries combined accounted for nearly half of the world’s data breaches (46%).
The US recorded a rise of 39%, while India saw five times as many accounts breached.
The UK saw a 14-fold surge in breaches, recording 57 million in 2024.
939.5 million breaches were recorded, working out at nearly 1,800 breached accounts per minute.
With 49 million breaches, Poland was a new entry at number 10, having ranked 17th in 2023.
Russians are most at risk, with 6,365 data breaches occurring per 1,000 people.
This is not the first time Russian data has been at high risk.
The scale of this leak resulted in a huge pool of potential targets for cybercriminals.
“This surge underscores the critical importance of effective cybersecurity practices.
Individuals should use complex passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and stay informed about potential threats.
Using a VPN is an ideal first step.
It’s super fast, clocking speeds of over 950 Mbps in our testing and is great for streaming.
you could also protect an unlimited number of devices on one plan.
You should always reject cookies where possible and venture to read the policies you’re consenting to.
So read privacy policies and agreements, and understand what you’re consenting to.
Phishing scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common threats posed by hackers and cybercriminals.
Fake online shopsutilise similar URLs and websites to convince shoppers they’re accessing the real site.
They can generate and store complex and unique passwords, meaning all the hard work is done for you.
What if my data is breached?
If you are the unfortunate victim of a data breach then don’t panic.
ExpressVPNandNordVPNboth offer a form of identity theft protection which can assist you in recovering stolen information.
Its ID Alerts monitor the internet for your data, identifying and alerting you to any risks.
They then submit removal requests to identified brokers on your behalf and request deletion of your data.
This process is constantly repeated, ensuring your data is always protected.
NordVPN’sNordProtectalso offers identity theft protection, although it is only available with its top-tier Nord VPN Ultimate plan.
Up to $1 million in cyber insurance is also offered, along with a dedicated case manager.
There’s cyber extortion protection of up to $100,000 and a 24/7 dark web monitoring service.
Alternative ID is included with all Surfshark VPN plans and it generates you a completely new identity.
It works all over the world and is linked to your existing Alternative ID.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses.
For example: 1.
Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services.
Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
