A breach notice does not automatically mean someone has taken over your accounts. First find out what information was exposed; then change any exposed or reused passwords, secure your primary email, and check your financial accounts. If you see unauthorized activity or cannot sign in, use the affected provider’s official recovery or contact channel promptly. This guide follows U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidance; bank procedures and legal protections can vary.
1. Check what the breach exposed
Reach the company through a website or app you already know is legitimate, rather than using unexpected links or phone numbers in a message. Read the notice to identify whether it involves a password, payment-card details, a Social Security number, or other identity information. The response depends on the data involved; the FTC directs consumers to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach for steps tailored to a breach.
Exposure and account takeover are different situations. A notice that your data was included in a breach does not by itself establish that anyone has signed in to your account. Treat signs such as unfamiliar account changes, messages you did not send, or unauthorized transactions as possible compromise and act on the affected provider’s instructions.
2. Change exposed and reused passwords
Change the password for the affected service promptly if credentials were exposed. Then change any password that is reused or similar on other accounts, starting with your main email, bank, credit-card, and payment accounts. Use a different, strong password for every account; do not reuse the replacement password. The FTC recommends changing the breached password and similar passwords elsewhere in its data-breach guidance.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
A password manager is an optional way to create and keep track of unique passwords. It does not replace changing a compromised password.
3. Secure your primary email account
Prioritize the inbox tied to password resets: someone with access to it may be able to intercept reset links for other services. If you can still sign in, use a trusted device and work through these checks, following your email provider’s own security guidance:
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
- Set a new, unique password. The FTC suggests aiming for 12 to 15 characters in its email and social-media recovery guidance; this is practical guidance, not a universal technical standard.
- Sign out other sessions or devices, if the provider offers that option.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA), also called multi-factor authentication (MFA). Use the strongest method the provider supports; options are compared below.
- Check that the recovery email address and phone number belong to you.
- Review forwarding rules and remove any you did not create.
- Look through sent and deleted mail for unfamiliar activity that may need follow-up.
If you are locked out, use the provider’s official account-recovery process rather than links in unexpected messages. Once you regain access, check the settings above and tell contacts to ignore unexpected requests or links sent from the compromised account. The FTC also recommends changing the password and creating a unique one in its account-recovery guidance.
4. Turn on MFA for financial accounts
Enable MFA on your bank, credit-card, payment-app, and other sensitive accounts. Choose the strongest method each provider supports. The FTC describes security keys as the strongest common 2FA method in its two-factor authentication guidance. If a service offers only a text-message or email passcode, the FTC says using one is better than having no second factor.
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- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
| Method | What to know |
|---|---|
| Security key | The FTC calls this the strongest common method in its guidance. A key may connect by USB or NFC; check that the account and your devices support it, and plan how you will recover access if the key is lost. A spare-key plan may help. No specific brand or model is assessed here. |
| Software-based or one-time code | Use an option the provider supports. If SMS or email codes are the only available choices, the FTC recommends them over no second factor. Keep the provider’s recovery options current. |
Do not buy a key until you have checked service and device compatibility. A second factor adds protection, but does not replace a unique password or account recovery planning.
5. Check payment accounts and card activity
Review recent activity on your bank, credit-card, and payment accounts. If payment-card details were exposed, the FTC advises contacting the bank or card company to ask about getting a new card number. If you see an unauthorized transaction or other suspicious activity, contact the institution promptly through a known official phone number or app and follow its instructions. Procedures and dispute deadlines depend on the institution and circumstances; there is no single deadline established by the cited FTC guidance.
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- Ultra-Compact FIDO2 Security Key - Plug-and-stay or carry on a keychain. This USB-A hardware security key offers portable, always-on protection for desktop and mobile use. (Item Size: 0.75 X 0.74 IN x 0.25 IN)
- USB-A Hardware Key for All Devices - Works with USB-A ports on PC, Mac, Android, and other laptop/notebook device. Enables secure, cross-platform login with FIDO2.0 passkey support.
- FIDO Certified Security Key - Meets FIDO and FIDO2 standards. Works with Google, Microsoft, GitHub, Dropbox, and more. Please check service compatibility before purchase.
- Passwordless Login with Passkey - Supports passkey login via WebAuthn and CTAP2. Enjoy password-free sign-ins where supported. Not all websites or services currently support passkeys.
- Advanced Multi-Factor Authentication - Offers 200 FIDO2 passkey slots and 50 OATH-TOTP slots. Strong, flexible 2FA/MFA support across various apps and authentication platforms.
6. Respond to exposed identity information
If a Social Security number or other identity information was exposed, use IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan. The FTC’s breach guidance also explains credit freezes and fraud alerts.
Quick Recap
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- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-C, USB-A, & NFC): Designed for PCs, Macs, iPhones, and Android. For mobile use, simply unfold the key, align it with your phone’s NFC antenna, and hold for a few seconds to authenticate.
- Enhanced MFA (FIDO2 & TOTP/HOTP): Strengthen your security with flexible options. Use the Manager App to access TOTP/HOTP features for accounts that do not yet support FIDO2.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID. NFC is supported only through mobile authentication, Not MacOS/windows.
- Credit freeze: Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place one. FTC guidance says freezes are free, do not affect your credit score, and stay in place until you lift them. If you apply for credit, you can temporarily lift the freeze with the bureau the lender will use. A freeze is a protective step, not a guarantee against every kind of fraud.
- Initial fraud alert: This is also free and asks lenders to verify your identity before opening credit. The choice between an alert and a freeze depends on your circumstances.
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