DATA BREACHES AND CYBER CRIMES

 


CYBER SECURITY | COMPUTER SECURITY

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Course Outline: DATA BREACHES AND CYBER CRIMES

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SUMMARY FOR TODAY'S LESSON: 

🔐 Data Breach & Cybercrime Summary

A data breach is a cybersecurity incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive information—such as personal identifiers, financial records, health data, or login credentials. These breaches can result from deliberate cyberattacks (e.g., phishing, malware, zero-day exploits), insider threats, or accidental exposure due to weak security or human error.

🚨 Causes of Data Breaches

  • External attacks: Hackers target systems to steal data using phishing emails, malware, or exploiting software vulnerabilities.
  • Insider threats: Employees may leak or sell confidential data intentionally or expose it accidentally.
  • Lost or stolen devices: Unsecured laptops, phones, or drives can be compromised if found by malicious actors.

⚠️ Consequences

  • Financial loss: Recovery costs, ransom payments, and lost revenue.
  • Reputational damage: Loss of customer trust and public confidence.
  • Legal penalties: Violations of data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA can lead to fines and sanctions.

🎯 Common Attack Types

  • Phishing: Deceptive messages trick users into revealing sensitive data.
  • Malware: Malicious software infiltrates systems to steal credentials.
  • Zero-day exploits: Hackers exploit unknown flaws before they’re patched.
  • Denial-of-Service (DoS): Overloads systems to disrupt access and operations.

🕵️‍♂️ Cybercrime Overview

Cybercrime includes illegal activities conducted via computers and networks. It ranges from identity theft and ransomware to crypto jacking and online fraud. These crimes either:

  • Target computers directly (e.g., malware infections), or
  • Use computers to commit broader offenses (e.g., selling illegal items online).

🛡️ Cybersecurity Response

To combat these threats, organizations and individuals rely on:

  • Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
  • Regular software updates and patching
  • Firewalls, antivirus tools, and employee training

THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS SUMMARY AND PLEASE STUDY ALWAYS!


Ben Dukuly

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