Acer has suffered a pretty serious security breach - here's what you need to know
The security breach includes the theft of sensitive data by "a third party." That data potentially includes names, addresses, card numbers, expiration dates, and three-digit security codes.
Social security numbers weren't stolen as Acer doesn't collect them, and there hasn't been any indication of login creditentials being affected, including usernames and passwords. However, the information that was stolen is basically all the data anyone would need to make fraudulent purchases on any ecommerce website.
Acer has sent letters to potentially affected customers with brief details of the breach, as well as advice and precautions they should take.
That advice includes checking your credit score for free on annualcreditreport.com, and placing a "fraud alert" on your credit file. Potentially affected Acer customers can activate the alert via Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.
In the letter, Acer also advises that customers can put their credit file on a security freeze via the aforementioned creditors, "which prevents credit, loans and services from being approved in your name without your consent," according to Acer.
We've contacted Acer for comment but haven't heard back yet.
Our advice? If you have purchased any Acer product directly through Acer over the last year or so, you should consider asking your bank for a new credit card with a new credit card and security number.
Unfortunately, we're frequently seeing all sorts of security breaches these days. Just earlier this month, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's Twitter account was hacked because he had a terrible password. And earlier in May, over 100 million LinkedIn passwords were compromised.
In the case of Acer, there isn't much customers could have done to prevent this hack from happening. But generally, the best way to stay safe out there in the wild internet is to use strong passwords that differ from site to site and/or use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass. Also, keep a close eye on your financial details and contact your bank if you suspect any fraudulent activity.