It seems like every week there’s a new report of a major company suffering a data breach. Hackers recently stole the personal details of all 6.5 million Co-op members, and a McDonald’s chatbot was found to have a ridiculously weak password. It’s a scary thought, but understanding how they do it is the first step to protecting yourself.
In the case of the Co-op, hackers stole names, addresses, and contact information. This might not sound as bad as stolen financial data, but it’s incredibly valuable to criminals. They can use this information to create highly convincing scams, known as phishing, that can trick you into revealing sensitive information like your passwords or bank details.
🔐 The Dangers of Reusing Passwords
The biggest risk from data breaches is if you’ve been reusing your passwords. If you used your Co-op password for any other account, you should change that one too. Hackers will take the stolen usernames and passwords from one site and try them on thousands of other popular services like email, social media, and banking websites. They do this automatically with tools, so a reused password is a serious vulnerability.
Weak passwords are another massive problem. The McDonald’s chatbot used to hire staff was found to have the password ‘123456’. While the company quickly fixed the flaw, this highlights how easily hackers can gain access if a system isn’t properly secured. You can protect yourself by using a password manager to create and store unique, complex passwords for every single one of your accounts.
📱 What About Your SIM?
SIM-swap fraud is another way criminals can use your personal information. Hackers convince your mobile provider to swap your phone number to a new SIM card. Once they have control of your number, they can bypass two-factor authentication and access your online accounts, leading to a financial disaster. My wife was a victim of this, and the company took seven days to fix the problem. You can protect yourself by being vigilant and asking your provider to add extra security to your account.
- McDonald’s chatbot used the password ‘123456’. Computeractive – Issue 715, 30 July-12 August 2025.
- Co-op Hackers Steal Your Data. Computeractive – Issue 715, 30 July-12 August 2025.
- How my wife was scammed by SIM swappers. Computeractive – Issue 715, 30 July-12 August 2025.
- Stop Hackers Spying on Your Security Cameras. Computeractive – Issue 715, 30 July-12 August 2025.
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