Greetings from Bangkok. It's raining so hard that Uber is offering water taxis, but that takes nothing away from the extraordinary experience that AppsFlyer has created here at its MAMA event.
In the news: As I'm sure you know, last week there was a massive leak of social security numbers. , but I didn't think it was worth writing about in my blog. I was wrong. This is a very big data breach, and you need to check if it affects you. Here's how:
Check your social on and . If you find your social security number has been leaked, there are two things you should do right now.
1) Make sure you have multi-factor authentication set up on every important financial account. Use your phone, not your email. (If someone hacks your email, your multi-factor is defeated.) If someone steals your phone, it will be much harder for them to get into your accounts.
2) Freeze your credit reports with the three main credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can contact each agency directly; here are the details on how to do it:
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788
1-800-349-9960
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
P.O. Box 160
Woodlyn, PA 19094
1-888-909-8872
Pro tip: Do not pay for monitoring services. They are a rip-off. They truly have no value at all, and the fact that they have the nerve to sell you something that they should already be doing is insulting.
I know this is a true pain in the butt. However, it will also make absconding with your identity a pain in the butt for the hackers.
As always your thoughts and comments are both welcome and encouraged. Just reply to this email. -s
P.S. Have you started planning for CES© (Las Vegas, January 7-10, 2025)? Our executive briefings and floor tours are the best way to experience the show. Let us help you get the most out of CES. .
ABOUT SHELLY PALMER
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named he covers tech and business for , is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular . He's a , and the creator of the popular, free online course, . Follow or visit .
