Unveiling the Invisible Threat: Understanding Data Breaches and Their Impact

In Today's Digital Age, we spend a significant amount of time in front of our PC/mobile screens where we work, study, or entertain ourselves online. To access these platforms, we need to register our personal information and create an account. The information we need to provide depends upon the Application. In Social Media platforms, users are asked to sign up with their name, DOB, Phone Number, Email, Gender, etc., and on E-commerce platforms, it asks the same with delivery locations and payment details. By Website's requirement and reliability, we provide our personal information.

Data Breaches

Even though these platforms have enormous security, sometimes Black hat hackers come up with new Loopholes and Exploits to get unauthorized access to sensitive data. These data include Company details, Worker details, Customer/User details, etc. Here's a simple explanation: A data breach is an unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive information, often resulting from cyberattacks or security vulnerabilities, which can lead to various negative consequences for individuals and organizations.

Why Blackhats breach Data?
In simple terms, for Financial gains, either by using the data as ransom or by selling it on Darkweb. (If the demands are not met, all data will be made publicly available for free.)
Otherwise, to gain information (Company/Government/Military related) or to cause harm by affecting the trustability of the platform.

Why Data breaches are a threat?
You might think a Data breach cannot cause any harm, but it can.

• Cybercriminals use leaked personal information to commit cyber atrocities like Taking over the account or Impersonating the user to commit fraud/crime.

• Confidential Information leaks such as Financial details, Government details, etc. can be misused for personal gains.

How can I know whether my data is leaked? HaveIBeenPwned??

Here's a completely secure website where you can check whether your data has been publicly leaked. Haveibeenpwned.com collects various data leaks and stores them in its database where its complete motive is for a good cause, making sure internet users can check whether their data has been leaked.

It is safe to visit this website and check whether their data has been leaked by providing their Email address or any other parameter. It will let you know whether your information is leaked or not. If leaked, it will mention the source (i.e. The Website which got data breached) and notifies what particular data was leaked.

Unnecessarily don't worry if you find that your data has been breached. Just read through how you can make sure it doesn't matter.

Have U been pwned? What next??

Follow the below measures even though you are not been pwned for being on the safe side of the internet:

• Enable Multifactor Authentication for your Web Account. Ex: Social Media Applications have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) where after entering the password while logging in, it will ask for a security code that has been earlier shared with you or sent to your email/mobile number. In the Worst case scenario, even if your username and password have been leaked, security codes are required to log In, which you only have.

• Change your password if you find that your password has been leaked.

• Asking for the removal of your Data. If you find your information is showing up on any website, look whether it has any removal options, many do have.

Prevention is always better than cure. To be safe on the internet and not want your information to be used by unauthorized personnel, always make sure you use legitimate websites, which doesn't look fishy, especially Phishing which are traps to collect your data by replicating an original site aka Spoof site.

Don't provide your information unknowingly on fake/ phishing websites. See the below website, which is a clone of the famous e-commerce Amazon, but its Website address is different. Hackers clone famous websites which people majoritively use and spread them with some Honeytrap writings like "Share to 5 people in your network and avail this for free or 50% offer... ", which is nothing but a trap to collect your data. Just make sure that the hyperlink which is opened in your browser is the Original one. Companies will not use third-party websites to reach out to you unnecessarily.

Conclusion

Data breaches are really serious threats that can cause big problems for individuals and businesses. They can lead to things like losing money, having your identity stolen, or your private information being exposed. It's important to make the internet safer by doing things like using strong passwords, enabling Multifactor Authentication, updating your software, and being careful with suspicious emails. By doing these things, we can protect ourselves and help make the internet a safer place for everyone.