The Dangers of Medical Record Hacking: What You Should Know

New threats emerge regularly in the health care community, but one of the greatest dangers looks little like you’d expect. It’s not an aggressive new form of cancer or an antibiotic-resistant illness: it’s the hacking of medical records.

Healthcare data breaches have become increasingly common in recent years; a report from Protenus’ Breach Barometer suggests that the 477 reported healthcare breaches in 2017 impacted 5.579 million patient records. Experts believe that information obtained through medical hacks is actually more valuable than credit card data. Thankfully, medical providers finally appear to be rounding the corner on data security. Read more to learn about their efforts — and what you can do to protect your personal information.

Choose the Right Email Address and Password

If you use the same email address for multiple accounts, consider creating a separate address for medical matters. This limits hackers’ access to other crucial accounts. No matter which email address you use; a solid password is critical. Use different passwords for different accounts, and change them often. Avoid storing passwords in your browser.

Resist the Urge to Overshare

When you meet with a doctor or healthcare specialist, you should provide detailed feedback regarding your symptoms. In some situations, however, you’ll want to scale back the sharing. Think twice before giving up your Social Security Number or tax information; these details should not be needed to receive medical care.

If you suspect that your health care provider is too lax with your personal information, it’s time to think about switching to a better secured facility. The right provider — and smart digital habits — can dramatically reduce your risk of suffering a data breach.

If you’re ready to pursue a medical malpractice case, be sure to work with Regan Zambri & Long PLLC. Get in touch today to learn more.