Data Breaches are Something to Keep on Our Radars
We here so much about data breaches in the online communities across the internet, and the world in general much more so since the introduction of the GDPR.
A data breach is the intentional or unintentional release of secure or private and confidential information to a third party, usually that someone or entity is going to use that data for their advantage, at the expense usually of the data owner.
A data breach occurs when a bad boy or bad girl get up to their bad boy and bad girl stuff by infiltrating a data source and extracting sensitive information and then proceed to share that information usually to cause mayhem or for financial gain.
They can do this by physically accessing a computer or network and then proceed to steal local files or by bypassing network security remotely, commonly referred to as hacking. Hacking is the preferred method to target companies and it is the thing that we see most in the news media. Some data breaches have been massive.
It can be something to keep in mind even if we are only a small operator we all of us have an expanding online footprint, I came across this excellent resource to check if some of our data has been exposed.
It is one of those public service sites free to use and I think they run off of donations. We can access HIBP to see if our personal data has been exposed.
Kind of cool, to know it offers a sense of comfort.
Recent Comments
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Hi Derek, you are most welcome, I only recently became aware that it was possible to check such information.
Having our data compromised is a possibility and a risk factor in the line of work we are involved in.
It does make one aware that we should take steps to protect ourselves.
Some of the passwords that I have used are twenty years old to easy, have lifted the game, recently.
Hi, Alex. Does that site tell you what to do if you have been pwned? I checked with one of those sites that said my email address is on the dark web, but I have no idea what to do about it except change all my passwords.
From observation, some of the sites offering this service can themselves be a little dodgy, so to return a verdict like that sets alarm bells ringing in my head, I would be interested to know what site you used to check Carol. Some sites will then proceed to offer to fix it for a fee, more than a little spammy and dare I say it scammy.
With HIPB they provide the information, from observation they are a reliable source it is possible to check both emails and also websites, it can be up to us to take appropriate action. Changing passwords frequently can be one of the best lines of defense also running up to date antivirus software can be another.
I think that being online in a personal capacity and also a business capacity creates a larger footprint than the average internet user.
One of the keys can be to develop a robust password management strategy, it can be so easy to take things for granted, we are fortunate here inside WA because we have a degree of certainty built into our interaction and engagement.
The risk may be small, being aware can be and make a huge difference, It may not be us but rather the third parties that we sign up to that are compromised which can, in turn, affect us.
So true, Alex. I agree, that website didn't have anything except my email address to go on, and suddenly, viola! my info is supposedly on the dark web.
This was quite awhile ago, and I don't recall the website that it was, as a (trusted!) friend had forwarded it to me. I'll ask him if he remembers or still has the email he forwarded to me. I discard things once I have dealt with or deleted emails I don't take time to read, but I know some people just let them build up.
Will get back to you if I'm able to find out the info on who it was I checked with.
Not as scary as it looks, Fleeky, if we are aware and take conscious steps to protect our data by developing a robust password management routine and system, all should be good.
The scary thing in order of ranking is that the following passwords are the top three passwords used probably for ease of memory.
123456
Password
12345678
and one last one for good measure.
letmein
now that is scary.
Thank you Alex for bringing this to our attention.
We don't really think of ourselves (businesses) being at risk.
Even though it happens everyday.
Thank you for sharing and giving somewhere to turn to.
Wishing you the best in all you do
Lee Ann
So True Lee Ann it can be a bridge to cross we can be exposed, being online and in business online, we do have a greater exposure than most folks.
You are most welcome I hope that you find it helpful.
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Hi Alex...it would be good to know but it scares me too. Once your data has been breached can it ever be undone. I am proactive on protecting myself...changing passwords and such...but what else can we actually do.
Debbie
Hi Debbie, it is often said that padlocks only help honest to respect your privacy. The bad folks will try to break in, it is part of their nature.
The interesting thing about being pwand, is that it is a gaming term where one player claims those bragging rights on winning an online match up.
I own you!
Kind of bizarre but that is the online world at times. For me, I didn't realize that we have the power to search to see if we have been compromised.
I think that the best thing we can do is to create a robust password management system around our personal accounts and especally our online assets.
There are numerous password magamement softwraes out there, usually the antivirus softwares will have one included with our subscriptions.
The thing is that if we are compromised the first thing would be to change that password top stop the slide so to speak.
Being aware can be the start point.