Cybersecurity breaches are on the rise. From identity theft to retail hacking, these attacks dominate the news cycle. On average, fraud victims will spend $800 USD of their own money and lose 20 hours trying to fix the disaster caused by identity thieves.
Here are some ongoing threats that highlight the current challenges in keeping your data protected, from small businesses to large corporations:
Retail data breaches
Retail Data Breaches are a serious danger because they can affect virtually anyone. 2014 saw an increase in cyber attacks against large companies such as Target, with computer hackers stealing 40 million credit and debit card numbers from customers.
Cybercriminals steal and sell this personal information on the black market, which can easily lead to identity theft.
While much of the responsibility falls on the retailer, such as keeping their payment methods updated and secure, closely monitoring your bank account and credit card statement is a good way to stay safe during this type of attack.
Mobile Security Technology Threats
and Smartphone Vulnerability
Cyber criminals can easily exploit the vulnerabilities of your mobile phone to obtain private data. These vulnerabilities sometimes come from the applications you use or within your own smart phone. Mobile phones are also vulnerable to malware, which can record keystrokes and capture screenshots.
Protect yourself by researching the applications you download, being careful with the emails you open and the images you choose to upload.
Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks
When cybercriminals trick people into revealing confidential information, such as passwords and social security numbers, it is referred to as phishing.
One of the most common ways phishing occurs is when a person receives an email, supposedly from a bank or government organization, and is drawn to sites that appear authentic. Once there, the person is asked to enter their password, social security numbers, and financial information. The cybercriminals take this information and use it for their own purposes.
Phishing is part of a larger problem called social engineering, which essentially involves manipulating emotions to gain access to confidential data.
Don't fall for these tricks. Be skeptical of every email you receive, especially those that ask you to re-enter private information. Remember, real banks and government organizations never ask you to verify potentially confidential information.
Identity theft
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing online crimes. Many of the issues covered earlier in this article can lead to identity theft, such as phishing emails and data breaches.
However, your identity is also at risk through everyday materials such as your resume, home address, social media photos and videos, financial data, etc. Identity thieves will steal your personal information and open credit cards and loan accounts in your name.
While much of this is out of the average person's control, there are still many things that you can do to keep your identity secure.
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