As the officers point out, the first step after learning about a leak should be to secure online accounts as quickly as possible. It is recommended to change the password for the service affected by the incident, using a secure device with up-to-date antivirus software.
The police also draw attention to the need to use unique passwords for each service. If the same password was used in multiple places, it should be changed immediately in the other services as well.
PESEL Reservation and Additional Security Measures
In the event of a risk of data theft, reserving the PESEL number is particularly important. This can be done:
- in the mObywatel app,
- on the mobywatel.gov.pl website,
- at any municipal office or bank.
The officers also emphasize the importance of enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible and using up-to-date antivirus software.
Checking the Scope of the Leak and Monitoring Accounts
People who suspect that their data has been compromised can check whether their information has appeared in other incidents by using the bezpiecznedane.gov.pl service.
Experts also recommend regularly monitoring security alerts concerning account logins and exercising particular caution with SMS messages and emails containing links. They should not be opened or used to log in or make payments.
Beware of Fake Messages and Cyber Incidents
Suspicious SMS messages can be reported to 8080. Other cybersecurity incidents should be reported to the CSIRT NASK team through the incydent.cert.pl website.
The NASK team emphasizes that promptly reporting an incident can help limit its consequences and protect other users.
Police: Response Time Matters
Bolesławiec police officers remind the public that, in the event of a data leak, a quick response is crucial—changing passwords, securing accounts and enabling additional security measures can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and loss of funds.
“The sooner we take action, the less likely it is that criminals will use our data,” the officers emphasize.