Cyber thieves have been working hard to get into the digital realm, and millions of records are lost yearly. According to a recent report, cyber thieves have successfully breached the security of over a million digital devices. Additionally, data thieves use phishing emails and spyware to steal data.
Attackers tend to target high-value data
Cyberattackers have varying motives. Some aim to gain money and prestige. Others aim to gain access to critical infrastructure. Either way, understanding the motivation of a threat actor can help identify what industries they may target. Determining the most vulnerable targets can make a strategy that protects those areas.
Attackers have become more sophisticated in their methods. Instead of trying to compromise the entire IT infrastructure, they target specific data systems. For instance, industrial enterprises use POS terminals, and check-in kiosks are easy targets. In addition, industrial enterprises have a rapidly growing fleet of IoT devices. By combining and simplifying their IT and security solutions, enterprises can strengthen their defenses against such attacks.
Social media has also become a popular target for attackers. According to Kaspersky Lab, over 40% of Facebook and Twitter users have experienced spam or other malicious behavior. The attackers may even access confidential corporate data and commercial secrets.
They may pose as e-waste companies
One way to protect your digital data is to dispose of e-waste properly. Unfortunately, many recycling programs don’t wipe hard drives, and discarded devices often end up in landfills or Ghanaian dumps. This makes your hard drive open to digital data thieves.
The first step is to find a reputable e-waste recycler. This is a crucial decision, as not all e-waste recyclers have the same protocols. If you choose an unreliable company, your information is at risk of data breaches and product theft.
Governments have recognized this threat, and many have passed laws to protect consumers. However, many businesses don’t follow the rules and are prime targets for data thieves. Many companies carelessly dispose of sensitive information. Businesses must find a trustworthy e-waste recycling company to secure all electronic data and dispose of it properly.
They may use spyware to commit fraud
Digital data thieves often use malware and spyware to steal personal information, send spam, and commit fraud. The most common method they use to steal information is luring consumers to malicious websites and links. This method is especially effective when consumers do not have security software installed on their computers. Therefore, consumers should install security software on their computers to prevent phishing emails and malware infections.
Depending on the type of malware, hackers may use various techniques to install malware on a device. The malware, which allows the hacker to access a victim’s computer or device, may include keyloggers, viruses, and spyware. These hackers will also sift through mail to get access to sensitive information. This information can include credit card account numbers, tax forms, and other personal information.
In addition to keyloggers, other types of malware may track users’ normal Internet browsing habits. These spyware programs are frequently deployed over existing, trustworthy software. For instance, keyloggers may monitor user activities and record keystrokes depending on their capabilities, enabling digital data thieves to steal personal information. Credit card fraud and identity theft are also possible uses for this information.
They may use phishing emails
A phishing email is a scam message that asks for personal or private information. The emails are sent to large lists of people to steal as much digital data as possible. They usually have a generic greeting and don’t use the recipients’ names. In some cases, the attackers use a fake logo or brand name to lure victims into opening an email attachment. The attachment may contain malware or a malicious macro. Once the victim clicks the attachment, they are tricked into divulging sensitive information.
One type of phishing email is known as a spear phishing email. This email targets high-privilege account holders and is designed to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information, sending money, or downloading malware. In many cases, the email contains malicious links that take the victim to a server controlled by the attackers. In addition, these links will often prompt the victims to authenticate themselves on spoofed login pages, sending their credentials to the attackers.
Using phishing emails to steal digital data is a common practice for cyber criminals. They are cheap to send and easy to obtain, and the attackers can quickly gain access to valuable information. In many cases, victims of phishing scams end up with malware infections, identity theft, and data loss. Because of this, organizations should train staff members to recognize and avoid these scams.
