PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Troubling new data shows 49% of email passwords have been leaked onto the dark web.
Social Catfish, an online identity verification and scam prevention company, released new findings showing 41,061 victims in Florida lost $874 million to online scams in 2023.
WATCH: Cybersecurity expert share tips on password protection
WPTV Anchor Hollani Davis got some advice from a cybersecurity expert about the best ways to protect yourself.
John Clay is the vice president of threat intelligence at Trend Micro— a company that works to protect consumers against online scams and data breaches. He said one of the best lines of defense is to enlist your own security.
"Install a security app on your phone, or on your PC that can block things, that can block phone numbers, text. It can block emails," Clay said.
Social Catfish offered these other ways users can safeguard their passwords:
- Don't post your child's name and birthday on social media. Scammers are savvy about piecing these details together to break your passcode.
- Don't click on random links or unsolicited emails. If a phishing link is clicked, malware enters your computer and can steal personal information.
- Enable two factor authentication. Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA on all accounts that offer it. This way, even if your password is compromised, scammers will need a second form of verification to gain access to your account.
- Use strong and unique passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Utilize complex, long passwords that include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords securely.
