16 billion accounts hacked: How to protect your online data

HONOLULU KHON2) — The Associated Press recently revealed Cybernews researchers found that 16 billion login credentials were leaked and posted online. These include usernames and passwords for sites like Google, Facebook and Apple.

The data came from many different breaches over time and was collected into large files. Some accounts may appear more than once; so, the report indicated that it’s unclear how many people were affected.

The leaks likely came from “infostealers”, which are harmful programs that steal private data from your computer or device.

Experts warn that as data breaches happen more often, it’s important to protect your accounts.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), we all leave a digital trail every time we go online, even here in Hawaiʻi. What we click, watch, search and share can be tracked. Even after we close a site or delete an app, that information might stay with advertisers or companies.

This is called online tracking. It helps businesses show you content or ads they think you’ll like, but it also means your personal information is not as private as it may seem.

How websites and apps track your activity

Many websites and apps use tools like cookies or pixels to keep track of you. These are small files that collect details about what you click or view. Some even use something called device fingerprinting. This is a way that allows them to look at your phone’s or computer’s settings to figure out who you are.

If you visit a site and it tracks you directly, that’s called first-party tracking. If the site lets other companies follow you, it’s called third-party tracking.

These third parties can follow you from one site to another. That’s why an ad for shoes might pop up on different websites after you searched for sneakers once.

Apps use your phone’s advertising ID to track what you do. This can include the sites you visit, how long you stay there, what device you use and even where you are.

Steps to protect your privacy

1. Clear your history often

To stop ads based on your search and browsing history, delete your cookies and clear your browsing data. On phones, you can reset or delete the ID used to track you.

2. Adjust your settings

Every browser has privacy settings. Use them to block tracking, limit location sharing or stop sites from saving your history. Some browsers offer private browsing modes. These don’t save your history, but they don’t block tracking either.

Browser extensions can also help you manage what’s collected.

Phones also have settings to stop personalized ads. You can find this under the advertising section in your privacy settings. Even with this off, you’ll still see ads, but they won’t be based on your searches or location.

Streaming devices, smart TVs, social media and apps may also collect your information. Check your privacy settings on each one. Some apps ask for access to your contacts or photos. Think about whether they really need that access. You can turn off permissions or delete the app.

3. Try an ad blocker

Ad blockers stop many ads from showing up on websites. Some also block trackers. Not all ads are blocked, though. Some ad blockers allow certain ads through. They also don’t protect you from viruses or malware.

4. Opt out of personalized ads

You can use free tools to limit how your data is used for ads. These work on most devices and browsers, but you need to opt out on each one. Some examples are the Digital Advertising Alliance’s AdChoices and the Opt-Out Network Advertising Initiative.

5. Review cookie notices

Many websites now show you a cookie notice. You can often choose to allow only the cookies needed to use the site, or allow all cookies, including those for ads. Pick what works best for you.

You can click here to read more guidance provided by the FTC. This site includes step-by-step instructions on how to protect your online data. You can click here for the AP brief on the cybersecurity breach.

Taking small steps can make a big difference in protecting your online data. You have more control than you think.