Cyber threats, cyberattacks and
cybercrime in general are living a golden age. From identity theft to online
store hacking, the attacks make headlines in the news. Here are seven ongoing
threats that present today's data protection challenges.
Theft of data from retail establishments
Retail data theft poses a serious
danger because it can affect just about anyone. We saw an increase in
cyberattacks targeting large companies like Target, in which attackers stole 40
million credit and debit card numbers.
Cybercriminals steal and sell
this personal information on the black market, which can easily lead to
identity theft. Although much of the responsibility falls on the store, since
it is their obligation to keep payment methods updated and secure, regularly
reviewing your bank account and your credit card statement is an appropriate
way to protect yourself against attacks directed at these establishments.
Mobile security and threats that take advantage of phone
vulnerabilities
Cybercriminals can easily exploit
your mobile phone vulnerabilities to obtain private data. In some cases, these
vulnerabilities originate from the applications you use or the phone itself. In
addition, mobile phones are vulnerable to types of malware capable of recording
keystrokes and taking screenshots. To protect yourself, research the apps you
download, be careful about the emails you open and the images you decide to
upload.
Phishing and social engineering attacks
When cybercriminals trick people
into divulging confidential information, such as passwords and social security
numbers, this practice is called phishing. One of the most common ways phishing
occurs is when a person receives an email, supposedly from a bank or government
agency, and is directed to a site that appears legitimate. Once there, the
person is asked to enter their password, social security numbers, and financial
information.
Cybercriminals take this
information and use it for their own purposes. Phishing is part of a larger
problem called social engineering, which is basically manipulating emotions to
gain access to sensitive data. Do not fall prey to these deceptions. Be wary of
all the emails you receive, especially those that ask you to re-enter private
information. Remember that real banks and government organizations will never
ask you to verify potentially confidential information.
Identity Theft
One of the fastest growing online
crimes is identity theft. Many of the topics discussed earlier in this article
can lead to identity theft incidents, phishing emails, and data breaches.
However, your identity is also at risk through everyday materials, such as your
resume, home address, photos and videos on social media, financial data, etc.
Identity thieves steal your
personal information and apply for credit cards and loan accounts using your
name. Although some of this is out of the reach of the average user, there are
numerous steps you can take to keep your identity safe.
Medical data hacking
In early 2015, Anthem experienced
a massive data breach due to an attack that affected 78.8 million people. In
July 2015, a group of hackers infiltrated the UCLA Health System computer
network and allegedly gained access to the personal information of 4.5 million
patients. Medical records contain important and sensitive information and are a
common target of cybercriminals, which can easily lead to identity theft later.
Often times, this information is used to mislead health insurance companies,
such as buying and selling fraudulent prescriptions. Always pay attention to
the news to find out if there have been any medical data leaks.
Sexual Predators Who Harass Children
In dark corners of the Internet,
there are users who want to take advantage of children to trade in illegal and
lewd photos. These individuals may carry out these activities via the Internet,
peer-to-peer file-sharing programs, or, increasingly, on the hidden web, an
area of the Internet that is not accessible
with standard search engines. Although these trends are disturbing, it is best
to avoid these sites and leave them to the security forces.
Another Internet danger for
children is when predators try to convince them to meet in person, as well as
when they send and request lewd or, decidedly, pornographic photos. Make sure
your kids understand the dangers of chatting with strangers online, and
instruct them never to share personal information with people they don't really
know.
Attacks on banks
During the 21st century, bank
robberies have digitized. A famous example is that of a criminal gang that
stole a billion dollars over a period of approximately two years from a variety
of financial institutions around the world.
After infecting target computers,
cybercriminals were able to successfully mimic employee behavior and transfer
money, configure ATMs to dispense cash at certain times, and use electronic
payment methods to filter money. Always research a bank's safety record before
deciding on it, don't click on strange email links, shred financial documents,
and constantly monitor your account for irregularities.
In this ever-evolving cyber
threat landscape, what can you do to protect yourself? Security awareness is
the first line of defense. There are powerful security tools that can help you,
but remember to use common sense to protect your computer, your information,
and yourself.
In this ever-evolving cyber
threat landscape, what can you do to protect yourself? Security awareness is
the first line of defense. There are powerful security tools that can help you,
but remember to use common sense to protect your computer, your information,
and yourself.
Safety Measures:
Use strong passwords for your
accounts, including numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and not easy to
guess. For example, avoid using passwords like 12345, etc.
Use an Internet
Security Software for keeping you safe from all the threats.
Don't open suspicious emails that
ask you to re-enter sensitive data.
Shred confidential documents when
you no longer need them.
Use a VPN to protect your
Internet connection, in case you need to use a public Wi-Fi network.
Always keep your software
up-to-date.
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