What is a Data Breach and How to Prevent It?

When sensitive or private information is made accessible to unauthorized parties, a data breach occurs. It may take place unintentionally or as a result of cyberattacks like theft or hacking. Data theft can result in financial losses and reputational harm for firms because it can be sold for profit or utilized in future assaults. The concerns about cybersecurity have increased and people are looking for ways to secure their data stored online.

Regardless of size and position, anyone can be the victim of a data breach. Data breaches happen due to weaknesses in two areas, technology, and user behavior. Cybercriminals can utilize the data in any way they want and make a profit. 

How do data breaches happen?

Data breaches are not always caused by outside hackers. They can also happen due to accidental actions or intentional attacks from insiders. Breaches can occur when unauthorized individuals access data, devices containing sensitive information are lost or stolen, or malicious insiders deliberately misuse data. Hackers can also exploit vulnerabilities to gather information from networks or individuals.

Methods Use for Data Breaching

Data breaches can be dangerous for any company or individual. The most famous methods through which data breaches can be caused are mentioned below:

• Phishing:
  Phishing is an act of tricking recipients into providing personal information by sending emails that look legitimate but are actually fraudulent.
• Malware:
  Malware, mostly known as malicious software, is software or computer code that is designed to infect a system, network, or device in such a way that it will enable a hacker to steal data or take control of the system entirely.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS):
  A DoS attack is a deliberate effort to flood the network or website of a target business with false requests. This will stop authorized users from getting in, harming the system, or crashing it. A botnet is a group of compromised computers that an attacker can employ to perform distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.

What is targeted in Data Breach?

A data breach can cause severe damage to the system and sensitive information. By tricking the user, hackers can get into the system of the user and exploit it. The common areas where cybercriminal targets are as follows:

• Data breaches are frequently caused by weak credentials, such as passwords that are simple to guess.
• Cybercriminals can get into your personal and financial data using stolen credentials they have gained through phishing attempts.
• Attacks by malware may weaken authentication procedures, enabling unauthorized access to computers and systems.
• Payment card fraud is also seen many times. When a card is swiped at an ATM or at a petrol station, a card skimmer steals the data from the card.
• Malicious actors may use third-party vendors as a means of accessing security systems.
• Unsecured mobile devices in the office, especially with BYOD regulations, can give hackers access to sensitive data, including business emails and personal information (PII), through malware-filled apps.

How to Prevent Data Breach?

Damages a data breach causes can be prevented by following certain measures such as,

• By updating your computer and software.
• Use VPN services to secure your files and sensitive data. 
• Try to use a non-administrator account. 
• Use encrypted data storage services. 
• Check and think twice before downloading any file or clicking any link while browsing. 
• Be cautious before opening any email attachments or pictures. 
• Spread security awareness through training.
• Try to use malware detection antivirus software.
• Firewalls can stop certain hazardous traffic from ever reaching the network. It can also help to stop hackers from sending outbound communications.
• Use Multifactor authentication
• Change your password after every 30 to 45 days. 
• Avoid clicking on the pop-up windows that ask you to download software.
• Restrict file sharing.

Organizations may drastically lower the risk of data breaches and guard against sensitive information getting into the wrong hands by putting these preventive measures into place and encouraging a security-conscious culture.

FAQs

Conclusion

In today’s technologically advanced world, concerns for the security of data have been raised due to the increasing number of data breach cases. A data breach occurs whenever an unauthorized user gains access to any person’s or organization’s stored data, steals it, and uses it any way they choose. There are certain measures if implemented by the organizations and individuals then the risk of data breaches can be lowered.