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Local Cybersecurity Expert Weighs In On Data Breach Of More Than A Billion Usernames And Passwords

By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A top security firm says a group of Russian hackers stole over a billion usernames and passwords after going through more than 400,000 websites.

"If you're watching the news every single day, it's happening every single day right now," said Norm Balchunas, Director of Drexel's Cybersecurity Institute.

Balchunas says the magnitude of this breach is alarming but, just like any other case, it's a warning for all of us.

"These are wakeup calls, not just to bankers and credit card companies," Balchunas said.

That means changing your passwords, but Balchunas says you have to think way outside the box.

"Come up with a sentence. 'I really like meatloaf and mashed potatoes.' Then take the first letter out of each one of those and be randomly changing that," he said.

And he stresses to use different passwords for different sites, to prevent a ripple effect that could really set you back.

 

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