Massive Data Breach Exposes Personal Information of Millions

Hackers release 2.9 billion records from National Public Data, including Social Security numbers and addresses, leading to severe identity theft risks.

The breach involved unencrypted data spanning three decades, affecting potentially millions of individuals.
Hackers initially attempted to sell the data for $3.5 million before it was released on the dark web.
Victims are advised to check their exposure using tools like 'Have I Been Pwned' and monitor credit reports regularly.
Steps to protect oneself include freezing credit, using strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against National Public Data for failing to safeguard personal information.

The Columbus Dispatch