Common Data Breach Methods | Data Breaches

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a method where attackers use deceptive emails, messages, or websites to trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. Phishing emails often appear to come from trusted sources, making them difficult to identify.

Example: An employee receives an email that looks like it's from their bank, asking them to verify their account details by clicking on a link. The link leads to a fraudulent website designed to capture their information.

2. Malware

Malware, or malicious software, is a term that encompasses various types of harmful software, including viruses, worms, and ransomware. Once installed on a system, malware can steal, encrypt, or delete sensitive data.

Example: A user unknowingly downloads a file infected with ransomware, which encrypts their files and demands payment for the decryption key.

3. Social Engineering

Social engineering involves manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information. This method relies on human psychology rather than technical hacking techniques.

Example: An attacker impersonates a company IT support representative and calls an employee, convincing them to provide their login credentials for troubleshooting purposes.

4. SQL Injection

SQL injection is a code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in an application's software. Attackers input malicious SQL code into a query, allowing them to access or manipulate the database.

Example: An attacker enters a malicious SQL statement into a web form field to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to a database.

Input: ' OR '1'='1'; --

Output: Access granted to the database.

5. Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is a type of cyber attack where attackers use lists of compromised usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access to user accounts on various platforms. This method exploits the tendency of users to reuse passwords across multiple sites.

Example: An attacker obtains a list of leaked credentials from a data breach and uses automated tools to try these credentials on popular websites, gaining access to users' accounts.

6. Insider Threats

Insider threats occur when individuals within an organization, such as employees or contractors, misuse their access to sensitive data for malicious purposes. This may involve data theft, sabotage, or unintentional data leaks.

Example: A disgruntled employee downloads sensitive customer data to sell it to competitors, putting the organization at risk.

7. Unpatched Software Vulnerabilities

Failure to apply software updates and patches can leave systems vulnerable to attacks. Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in software to gain access to systems and data.

Example: An organization neglects to update its content management system, which has a known vulnerability. An attacker exploits this vulnerability to gain access to the website's database.