Common Vulnerabilities That May Cause Data Breaches

Providing sensitive information to various websites is something most people do without much thought. If your sensitive information falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to your identity being stolen. Every year, identify theft robs consumers around the world of over $56 billion. Instead of falling victim to cyber-crimes, you need to do all you can to keep your data safe. 

Educating yourself about the vulnerabilities cyber-criminals use to steal data from consumers is important. With this information, you can protect your data and avoid getting hacked. Here are some common vulnerabilities that may cause data breaches and what you can do to address them. 

Malware is a Big Problem

In the past few years, cyber-criminals have used indirect and direct malware more in their attempts to steal data from consumers. This malicious software is designed with the intention to open up digital access to sensitive information. When used successfully, malware will allow criminals to gain control of a person’s computer and steal any information it contains. 

Things like malware and ransomware have robbed consumers of billions of dollars over the past decade. If you want to avoid falling victim to malware and ransomware schemes, you need to be mindful of the websites you visit and the emails you read. Many hackers use attachments in emails to deploy viruses onto an unsuspecting consumer’s computer. By investing in malware protection and using common sense when presented with email attachments from unknown senders can help you keep your sensitive information safe. 

Weak Passwords Should Be Avoided

Some people purposefully create easy passwords to ensure they don’t forget them. The easier your passwords are, the harder it will be to keep hackers out of your accounts. Nearly 80% of all data hacks perpetrated every year are caused by either weak or stolen passwords. Rather than making it easy for cyber-criminals to gain access to your sensitive information, you need to focus on creating complex passwords. 

You also need to change your passwords every few months to keep hackers guessing. Luckily, there are a number of software programs designed to help you create and store complex passwords safely. Taking advantage of these programs will help you keep sensitive information out of the hands of criminals. 

Mitigating the Risk of Application Vulnerabilities

The average person uses a ton of mobile and web-based applications. These applications are used for everything from budgeting to connecting with friends and family members. Some people have a false sense of security when using certain apps. If the app you are using is not properly secured, the sensitive information you enter can be intercepted by hackers. 

Problems with poorly written code and flawed security features can make it easy for cyber-criminals to hack into an app. This is why you need to be careful when entering your sensitive information into an app that isn’t secure. 

As you can see, there are a number of problems that can make gathering sensitive information easy for cyber-criminals. By addressing these common vulnerabilities, you can avoid becoming a victim.

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