A data breach is an incident in which unauthorized individuals gain access to protected or confidential information. Such cases may involve the leakage, theft, or unlawful disclosure of personal data - such as names, email addresses, passwords, financial data, or other sensitive information.
These incidents are often the result of cyberattacks against organizations, government institutions, or private companies, but they can also occur due to human error or insufficient protection of information systems. Data breaches have serious consequences both for the affected individuals and for the organizations responsible for storing and processing the information.
What actions should you take if you suspect your personal data has been compromised?
1. Check whether your accounts have been affected:
You can use trusted services such as Have I Been Pwned, where by entering your email address you can verify whether data linked to your account has been exposed.
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- If a compromise is confirmed, immediately change the password for the affected account.
- It is highly recommended not to reuse the compromised password.
2. Use different and unique passwords for each online service:
This limits the risk of further misuse in case of leaked password.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
If possible, always activate an additional identity verification mechanism (SMS code, mobile application, or hardware token).
4. Use a Password Manager:
A password manager makes it much easier to manage multiple accounts by helping you to create and store strong, unique passwords.
5. Be extra cautious when receiving suspicious emails or visiting websites:
Phishing attacks often rely on already leaked personal data to appear more convincing.
6. If you suspect a non-legitimate website or encounter a phishing attempt, please report it to the National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CERT Bulgaria).