As we live in a digitalized world, where all our information is available on the touch of our fingertips, we tend to prefer to store our data on the internet in the hope of accessing it from anywhere easily. It is not that we put it there by choice rather, it has now become a necessity for us to do so due to the increasing popularity of cloud storage.
A cloud is a platform that stores all sorts of data such as your pictures, calendars, notes, contacts, and much more. It is your digital world and existence on one single platform.
However, as we move further in today’s digital age, hackers have become more and more potentially dangerous to us. They can easily breach our data and use it for their benefit. A data breach is the process of your data being accessed without authorization or consent. This can either take place on a smaller level such as identity theft or on a more significant level where organizations and companies can also be breached. At times, hackers can get into data systems of governments and cause millions of dollars of damage.
What Do Hackers Do With The Data?
What hackers do with the data they have accessed without authorization depends on their motive. Usually, it is used for financial gain and held for ransom. This can also be when a hacker introduces a malicious software or malware within your data which holds it for ransom, otherwise also known as ransomware. This leads you to getting in touch with cybersecurity services and them using processes such as ransomware removal and ransomware recovery.
These processes are very costly, take up unnecessary time, and sometimes don’t give you the results you desire. However, there are some instances where hackers use data for the good of the people. For example, some important information may be leaked for the betterment of people of the world. Hackers can have different motives for the breach, but in the end, we need to know how to protect ourselves and our data from theft.
How To Protect Yourself From A Data Breach?
To protect yourself from a data breach, follow these key points and your data should be safe from the malicious hands of hackers:
- Secure Passwords
It is essential to create a password that is secure and memorable at the same time. By having a weak password, you give hackers a chance to breach your information. Make sure to use eight characters with upper and lower case letters mixed. Make sure you do not use any personal information such as names, dates, or key events in your life as your password as those can easily be guessed. Also, it’s best to use two-factor authentication for your passwords as it is a much secure way of keeping your data safe.
- Monitor Your Financial Accounts And Credit Card Reports
It is essential to keep an eye on your finances and your credit card reports for any signs of embezzlement or fraud. Make sure to contact cybersecurity services and your bank immediately if you notice something of this sort.
Other points to keep in mind are to not overshare on social media, use secure URLs, and use reliable software.
