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Security Expert: Protect Yourself After Anthem Hack

DENVER (CBS4)- Health insurer Anthem is investigating after confirming that hackers infiltrated its computer network and accessed a wealth of personal information about their customers.

Anthem and its two primary plans in Colorado, "HMO Colorado" and the "Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Company," together hold about 15 percent of the health insurance market of the state.

"I think it's extremely concerning to think that health records are now out in the open," said Anthem Colorado customer Neal Enssle.

Both current and former customers' information was hacked, including details like income and street addresses. According to CBS News, Anthem President and CEO Joseph R. Swedish called the cyberattack "very sophisticated."

Credit card information was not compromised, and the company has yet to find evidence that medical information, such as insurance claims and tests results, was obtained.

anthem
(credit: CBS)

Further information that was stolen included customers' names, birth dates, social security numbers, email addresses, and employment details, reported CBS News.

LogRhythm, a security intelligence company in Boulder, believes the Anthem hack should put all health care providers on alert.

"That data can be valuable for identity theft but also valuable for extortion. If I know you have a certain disease I might come after you and extort money from you... It's terrifying," said LogRhythm spokesman Chris Petersen.

With the move to electronic health records the health care sector has increasingly found itself targeted by hackers.

"I'm not sure what the impact is going to be with this and what Anthem can do to make this good for all of its customers," said Enssle.

Security experts recommend updating and installing anti-virus software on all devices, get a good password manager and monitor account activity.

Anthem has created a website to provide information to customers who may be victim to the attack. In part, it states:

"Once the attack was discovered, Anthem immediately made every effort to close the security vulnerability, contacted the FBI and began fully cooperating with their investigation. Anthem has also retained Mandiant, one of the world's leading cybersecurity firms, to evaluate our systems and identify solutions based on the evolving landscape."

Anthem's own associates were hacked as well, the website states, and the company plans to individually notify all members whose information has been accessed. The site also includes a number to call with questions about the incident.

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