MADISON, S.D. (KELO.com) The Equifax data breach broke new ground, according to Cyber-Security Expert Josh Pauli at Dakota State University.
"Usually when there's a data breach, it's Equifax and everybody else we run to for fraud monitoring and identity theft monitoring and this was kind of 'it happened to them, so it was who watches the watchers?," Professor Pauli tells KELO.com News. Pauli teaches at Dakota State, nationally known for cyber-security research and initiatives.
He says another twist to this data breach is that Equifax is offering free monitoring to those affected, but they better read the fine print.
"They're offering you their service, but by doing that, you are waving your legal rights," Pauli says that, for example, you could not be part of any future class action suit against Equifax.
Pauli urges all consumers to stay on the offensive in protecting their data online, and not grow weary or complacent as they hear about still one more data brach after another.
The massive Equifax breach has prompted calls in Congress for stronger regulations to help prevent cyber-attacks.