While data breaches are not new, the methods and types of data leaks are constantly changing. As technology advances, so do the ways in which hackers can gain access to our personal information. Data leaks or breaches occur mainly because of system vulnerabilities, human error, or malicious intent.
The 5 Types of Data Breaches That Have Occuted in 2022
Here are the top 5 different types of data breaches or leaks that have occurred in 2022.
1. Optus Data Leak:
This occurred when an Australian telecommunications company, Optus, leaked the personal information of around 9.5 million customers. The data that was leaked included names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and email addresses. Personal detail such as the residential addresses of some of the company’s customers was also exposed in the data leak. The attackers suspected of this large-scale data breach are believed to be a group of state-sponsored or highly organized, cybercriminals.
2. Revolut Data Breach:
This company suffered one of the most significant data breaches in its history when an attack on its systems made it possible for information stored on clients’ apps to be illegally accessed. The amount of data breaches that occurred is unknown. The type of data that was exposed is also unclear, but it may have included names, email addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers.
3. Uber Data Breach:
In September 2022, an attack on Uber’s systems caused the personal information of around 57 million customers and drivers to be exposed. The data that was leaked included names, email addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth. In some cases, driver’s license numbers were also exposed. The attackers responsible for this data breach are believed to be a group of cybercriminals based in the United States.
4. Samsung Data Breach:
This was reported by Samsung that someone gained access to their systems in September 2022 and was able to collect the personal information of around 8 million customers. The data that was leaked included names, addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers. It’s unclear how the attackers were able to gain access to Samsung’s systems or what their motives were for doing so.
5. LastPass Breach:
The company’s password manager showed its users or customers that it was compromised in September 2022. Although the full extent of the data breach is still not clear, it’s believed that the attackers may have gained access to LastPass’s database of hashed user passwords. However, the precautionary measure that the company had put in place, such as two-factor authentication, prevented the attackers from being able to access any sensitive user data.
Prevention Against Data Leaks And Breaches
There are a few things that you can do in order to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a data leak or breach. Remember that the prevention against data leaks should be a serious priority for any organization. Here are 5 methods that have been proven to be effective in preventing data leaks:
1. Use strong and unique passwords:
A strong password is one that is at least 8 characters long and contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s important to avoid using the same password for multiple accounts as well. If a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they will then have access to all of them if you’re using the same password.
2. Use two-factor authentication:
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that requires you to enter a code that is sent to your phone or email in addition to your password when logging into an account. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts even if they have your password.
3. Keep your software up to date:
One of the most common ways that hackers gain access to systems is by exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software. By keeping your software up to date, you can close these security holes and make it much harder for hackers to gain access to your system.
4. Be careful what you click on:
One of the most common ways that people’s systems become infected with malware is by clicking on malicious links or attachments in emails or on websites. Be very careful about what you click on and only click on links from trusted sources. If you’re not sure if a link is safe, you can hover over it with your mouse to see where it’s going to take you before you click on it.
5. Use a VPN:
A VPN (a virtual private network) encrypts all of the traffic between your computer and the VPN server. This makes it much harder for hackers to eavesdrop on your traffic and steal your data. VPNs are especially useful when you’re using public Wi-Fi networks as they can help to keep your data safe from prying eyes.
By following these simple tips, you can help to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a data leak or breach. Remember that prevention is always the best cure when it comes to protecting your data.
Conclusion
Data breaches and leaks are becoming more and more common as our lives move online. There are various reasons why hackers target an organization’s online infrastructure and among them include to make money, to embarrass the company, or to steal sensitive information.
While some data breaches are small and only result in the exposure of a few hundred records, others can be massive and affect millions of people. In either case, it’s important to take steps to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a data leak or breach. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your data safe from prying eyes.
