CUA is committed to helping our members become more cyber aware.  In this issue we discuss the concept of ‘pwning’.

Are your online details secure?

As part of CUA’s commitment to help our members become cyber aware, we outline one of the newest threats ‘pwning’.

Pronounced p-owned, it is a recent phenomenon whereby personal details are compromised or hacked in a data breach on a website where you hold a shopping account or login. For instance, if a company you buy goods online suffers a cyberattack and a subsequent data breach, it’s possible your personal data (including email and password) for that site could have been exposed to cybercriminals.

How to check if you’ve been ‘pwned’

One of the most recommended websites is one called haveibeenpwned.com.  It’s an easy-to-use site that keeps tabs on recorded data breaches. You can simply type in the email or User ID you log in with to see if any of your account information has been exposed. The results will show a list of websites that have been the subject of data breaches, listing what details were comprised. Seeing what accounts have been compromised is important, especially if you use the same password across multiple websites.

What to do if you’ve been ‘pwned’

If your personal data has been compromised, it’s important not to panic. Go to the service provider for the sites indicated in the results, log into your account and change your password. If you can’t log in, contact the website to reset your password. CUA recommends using strong, different passwords for each website account you hold, as this makes it harder for your details to be hacked. For tips on making a strong password, click here. Being pwned is something you can correct quickly and simply. Like all cyber security, you just need to be vigilant and aware of the possible threats online.

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