Google+ exposed data of hundreds of thousands of users
A software vulnerability in the Google+ site gave third-party developers potential access to users' private Google+ profile information for more than three years.
Google ran tests to determine the impact of the vulnerability and found 496,951 users who had shared private profile data with a friend could have had data accessed by an outside developer, according to published reports.
What is Google doing about it?
In response to this incident, Google has decided to shut down the consumer facing Google+ in 10 months. Users can export their data during this time.
On October 8, 2018, Google said it plans to stop letting outside developers gain access to SMS messaging data, call log data, and some forms of contact data on Android phones. Only a limited number of developers will be allowed to build add-ons in Gmail.
How do I protect myself against data breaches?
No one can prevent a data breach, but you can take steps to help safeguard your accounts and personal information, and to maintain your sense of online privacy.
If your debit or credit card number was exposed, you need to replace it.
Regularly review your credit card and bank statements, looking for unfamiliar activity. If you see a transaction that isn’t yours contact your financial institution immediately to let them know.
If you have an account, you should change your password immediately.
Be sure to use a strong and unique password for your account.
Exercise caution with websites offering to check if someone’s details are included in the breach. Use free tools, such as Norton Safe Web, to check on the reputation of the site.
Do not pay anyone offering to remove personal details from the leaked data, since this cannot be done. This information is already in the public domain and multiple copies exist.
