If you’ve ever wondered just how many people can be affected by a single data breach, a good estimate would be “about half the population of Turkey.” Or rather, that is the reality right now, as a database containing the personal information of nearly 50 million Turkish citizens has been posted online, putting them all at risk for identity theft and privacy violations.

According to The Guardian, the database was posted with an introduction that accused Turkey of “backwards ideologies, cronyism, and rising religious extremism,” which it accounted for the country’s “crumbling and vulnerable technical infrastructure.” It claims the leak is meant as a lesson for Turkey, and includes a few hints as to how the data was stolen.

Among the listed notes for Turkey are suggestions for encryption, indexing the database, and password security. Evidently there was very little in the way of proper security, which is a pretty big issue considering the vast amounts of personal information the files hold.

The leaked information includes national ID numbers, full name and address, date of birth, and even parents’ names. Among the victims, and specifically pointed out by the hackers, are Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former president Abdullah Gul, and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The National ID number is used for multiple government services, such as health care, voting, and social security, as well as banking services. The personal information revealed also makes victims prime targets for identity theft or social engineering attacks; even security questions like “Mother’s maiden name” will be useless at keeping out the hackers with the information they stole.

What to do now?

For our Turkish readers who may have been impacted by this data breach, there are a few steps you can take. First and foremost, identity protection services can be a lifesaver when your personal information is at stake. If you’re one of the millions whose National ID and personal information has become public knowledge, identity protection is worth the cost. Some good services in the U.S. are LifeLock and LegalShield IDShield, but may not be available in Turkey.

The same goes for credit monitoring services – this information can allow someone to set up a credit card in your name, so it’s your good credit on the line. LifeLock can also provide credit protection, so it’s a good way to kill two birds with one stone. Be sure to contact your bank and set up a fraud alert. Take whatever precautions you can to protect your credit and personal information.

For online security, check your security questions on websites you use for email, banking, or any other important service. Make sure the questions are all personal things that cannot be found through the stolen information or a quick Google search.

Feature image via Pixabay