Why Are Hackers Targeting Your Personal Data? How to Protect Yourself in the Digital Era!

  Editorial INTI     2 bulan yang lalu
c3c5c07184317e84292ac8c50095cb5d12f3539cc09b7f22ce3327a1ba0c021f.jpg

Jakarta, INTI - In today's increasingly connected digital world, personal data security has become a critical issue for individuals and organizations globally. News of data breaches involving sensitive information like credit card numbers, passwords, and personal identities stolen by hackers is common. These cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated and harder to detect, leading many to ask: Why are hackers so interested in stealing personal data, and how can we protect ourselves?

Why Do Hackers Target Personal Data?

Personal data holds high economic value on the dark web or black markets. Hackers can use this information for various malicious purposes, such as identity theft, financial fraud, or taking over social media accounts. According to the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023, the average cost of a data breach globally is $4.35 million, highlighting how valuable stolen data is to hackers.

Personal data is also frequently used to conduct further attacks, such as phishing or ransomware. Hackers can use this information to impersonate individuals or legitimate organizations, gaining further access to systems or funds from their victims.

How Do Hackers Obtain Personal Data?

Hackers use several methods to steal personal data, some of the most common include:

  1. Phishing – Hackers send fake emails or text messages that appear to come from trusted sources, attempting to obtain sensitive information like passwords or login details.
  2. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks (MitM) – Hackers intercept communication between a user and a server, stealing data like credit card information.
  3. Ransomware – Malicious software that encrypts a victim's data, demanding a ransom to unlock it.
  4. Data Breaches – Hackers target company systems containing sensitive data, stealing large amounts of information in a single attack.

According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) 2023, 36% of global cyberattacks involve phishing techniques, while 17% involve attacks using malware like ransomware.

How to Protect Yourself from Data Breaches?

Amid these increasing threats, there are several steps you can take to protect your personal data from cyberattacks. Here are some effective strategies:

  1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
    Avoid reusing passwords across different accounts. Use a mix of uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to create hard-to-guess passwords.
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
    2FA adds an extra layer of protection. Even if hackers manage to steal your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the verification code sent to your phone.
  3. Don't Click on Suspicious Links or Attachments
    Phishing attacks often use links that seem legitimate but are actually fraudulent. Always check the URL before clicking on unfamiliar links.
  4. Keep Software and Antivirus Updated
    Many cyberattacks exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. By updating your system and using strong antivirus software, you can prevent many types of attacks.
  5. Use a VPN When Accessing Public Networks
    A VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects your data from being intercepted when using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.

In today’s digital age, safeguarding personal data is no longer optional but essential. Hackers are always searching for opportunities to steal information, and protecting yourself requires vigilance and good security practices. From using strong passwords to enabling two-factor authentication, every small action can make a big difference in securing your privacy.

Ad

Ad