In 2019, according to Statista, nearly 165 million sensitive records were exposed in the US due to data breaches. Unfortunately, data theft is not going anywhere. Hackers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to steal information, but thankfully there are measures you can take to ensure your data stays safe. Here are some of the most common ways people get their data stolen online and how you can take precautions against the methods cybercriminals use.
Human Error
Hacking is one of the most common ways people get their data stolen online. But it is often due to online users making errors of judgment. According to a study by CompTIA, human error accounts for 52% of security breaches’ root causes. Common scenarios include sending sensitive information to the wrong recipients, falling for phishing scams, sharing account information, and using weak passwords.
When hackers have access to your personal information, they can illegally sell it on the dark web. Thankfully, you can take proactive steps to prevent that from happening by using identity theft software, which enables you to do things like set-up a watchlist, get alerts and restore your identity should it be stolen.
Another recommended method of ensuring your account details are safe is to always know who you are sending details to and always use strong passwords that you keep to yourself. To ensure your password is robust and safe, check out these great tips for developing good password management habits.
Malware
The use of malicious software is on the rise. Hackers use both direct and indirect malware, which involves opening software without intention. When that happens, hackers can exploit systems. Many hackers also make minor modifications to an existing malware program to make it unrecognizable to your antivirus program. To avoid malware, make sure you do not access websites by opening emails that have suspicious origins.
Application Vulnerabilities
When software applications are poorly written or network systems are badly designed or implemented, virtual holes are left for hackers to enter and directly access your data. To avoid hackers creating back doors, ensure all of your software and hardware solutions are up-to-date and fully patched. Also, never leave old security vulnerabilities unfixed, otherwise, you will be giving hackers an open invitation to steal your sensitive data.
Insider Threats
Businesses face the problem of insider threats. Whether it is a disgruntled employee, a rogue contractor, or a criminal opportunist, if someone has access to a company’s data, there may be little you can do to stopping him or her from copying, altering, or stealing the information. Preventing insider threats is challenging, but you can limit the risk by compartmentalizing the data in your network or cloud. The fewer files a single person can access, the more difficult it will be for him or her to abuse your system.
Physical Theft
If someone can steal a laptop from the Capitol building, as recently happened in the storming of Capitol Hill, then it may be easier than you think for someone to steal your laptop or another device, especially at the workplace. Physical theft is a much-overlooked way that people get their data stolen. While most guides on preventing data-theft talk about ways to improve online security, many physical thefts of devices happen all the time. Some hackers simply put on a high-viz jacket and wander into workplaces undetected to steal unattended laptops, smartphones, tablets, and hard drives; all of which will typically contain sensitive online and offline data that the thieves can steal and use. The simple solution to this problem is to remain vigilant and not leave devices containing sensitive information lying around.
