![]() ![]() Consider using a virtual phone number for online accounts instead of your primary phone number.If an account doesn’t have MFA, think about using an alternative that does. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for every account that permits it to add an extra layer of security beyond your password.Regularly monitor trusted news outlets and cybersecurity websites to stay informed about recent breaches that might impact you.This exposes your phone number to bad actors who might misuse it for malicious purposes. When an organization is hit with a breach, cybercriminals might gain access to the phone numbers of consumers. Nowadays, data breaches have become a widespread problem and millions of people worldwide are impacted every year. Here are some ways you can work to keep your phone number out of the baddies’ hands: 1. Your phone number was lost in a data breach and bad actors posted it online.You provided your phone number for a product you purchased, loyalty points, or discounts from online retailers.You entered your information for a free trial, contest, or other online form, and then your phone number was published.Your phone number is linked to your social media or other online account.Some of these situations you can control, like if you published your number on a public resume, and others are caused by issues like data leaks and hackings: There are many reasons why your phone number could be released on the internet. ![]() While it might not crawl through every digital nook and cranny your number could exist, it will give you an idea if you, for instance, ever tweeted out your number or if it is publicly available on an old employer’s website. The easiest way to see if and where your phone number is revealed online is to do a web search of your n ame and phone number. What steps can you take to safeguard your privacy? How to see if your phone number is exposed Sometimes your phone number is leaked in a data breach, other times you might have revealed it on social media, for example. But as we increasingly rely on smartphones for communication and online transactions, you should understand how your phone number can be exposed on the web. Phone numbers are one of the most overlooked pieces of personal data. The internet has replaced the white pages of yore, but there are go od reason s why y ou do n’t want your number listed. While they might still come to your door, when was the last time you used a phone book? Maybe you never have. Your phone number counts as personal data, and you don’t just want anyone out on the internet to have it.
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