Tech Massive data breach at federal credit union exposes 240,000 members Find out what information has been compromised and how to stay safe Published December 19, 2024 10:00am EST close 'CyberGuy': This years most devastating data breaches Kurt Knutsson: Data breaches in 2024 exposed info of millions, stressing the need for better cybersecurity. SRP Federal Credit Union, a South Carolina-based financial institution, had a major data breach impacting more than 240,000 people.The credit union handles highly sensitive information of hundreds of thousands of Americans, which is now in the hands of cybercriminals.SRP revealed in a notice that the data breach was part of a two-month attack by hackers, raising concerns about how it took the company so long to detect unauthorized entry into its systems. I discuss the details of the data breach, its impact on people and what you need to do to stay safe. Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to knowSRP Federal Credit Union has reported a data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 240,000 individuals, according to documents filed Friday with regulators inMaine andTexas.The company said it discovered suspicious activity on its network and notified law enforcement. An investigation determined that hackers accessed the credit unions systems between Sept. 5 and Nov. 4, potentially acquiring sensitive files. The investigation concluded on Nov. 22, the company said.SRP did not specify the exact details exposed in its notice to Maine regulators, saying only that names and government-issued identification were affected in the cyberattack.However, in a filing with Texas regulators, the company said names, Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers, dates of birth and financial information, including account numbers and credit or debit card numbers, were compromised. SRP said the breach did not affect its online banking or core processing systems. Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Whos responsible for the breachSRP has not disclosed who was behind the attack or the attackers' motives. However, the ransomware group Nitrogen claimed responsibility last week, alleging it had stolen 650 GB of customer data, according toThe Record. Ransomware attacks use malicious software to block access to a victims files, systems or networks and demand payment to restore access.The credit union could face legal challenges following the data breach, as Oklahoma City-based Murphy Law Firm isinvestigating claims on behalf of individuals whose personal information was exposed. The firm is also encouraging affected individuals to join a potential class-action lawsuit.SRP will provide impacted individuals with free-of-charge identity theft protection services, so take advantage of it to safeguard your information.We reached out to SRP for comment but did not hear back by our deadline.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? A person working on their laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)7 ways you can protect yourself from SRP data breachIf you have received a notice from SRP Federal Credit Union about the data breach, consider taking the following steps to protect yourself.1. Monitor your accounts: Regularly check your bank accounts, credit card statements and other financial accounts for any unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.2. Freeze your credit: Consider freezing your credit to prevent new accounts from being opened without your consent. This service is free and can be lifted at any time.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE3. Use identity theft protection services: Consider enrolling in identity theft protection services that monitor your personal information and alert you to potential threats. These services can help you detect and respond to identity theft more quickly. Some identity theft protection services also offer insurance and assistance with recovering from identity theft, providing additional peace of mind.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.4. Change your passwords: Update passwords for your online accounts, especially those related to banking and email. Use strong, unique passwords and consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords. Also,enable two-factor authentication for added security.5. Beware of phishing scams: Be cautious of emails, texts or calls claiming to be from SRP or related organizations. Avoid clicking on links or providing personal information unless you verify the sender.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.6. Keep your device's operating system updated:Make sure your cellphone and other devices automatically receive timely operating system updates. These updates often include important security patches that protect against new vulnerabilities exploited by hackers. For reference, see my guide onhow to keep all your devices updated.7. Invest in personal data removal services: Consider services that scrub your personal information from public databases. This reduces the chances of your data being exploited in phishing or other cyberattacks after a breach.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.Kurts key takeawayThe SRP Federal Credit Union data breach is a harsh reminder of how vulnerable our sensitive information can be. Over 240,000 individuals had their personal data compromised, including Social Security numbers, drivers licenses and financial details. Even more alarming is the two-month window hackers had to exploit the credit union's systems before being detected. This highlights significant gaps in cybersecurity protocols. If youre an SRP customer, monitor your accounts closely, enable fraud alerts and consider identity theft protection services to stay ahead of potential threats.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDo you think financial institutions should be held more accountable for data breaches like this one? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.