What is a cybersecurity breach?
A cybersecurity breach is the result of unwanted access to data, apps, or networks. This happens when someone bypasses security protocols.
But, you may have also heard of data breaches. Well, is it the same with a cybersecurity breach?
To illustrate, imagine a burglar. The moment he climbs through a window, that’s like a cybersecurity breach. But, the moment he steals your laptop, that’s a data breach.
So, a cybersecurity breach is breaking in. And a data breach is stealing information.
Now, what are some examples of a cybersecurity breach?
Examples of a cybersecurity breach
When cybersecurity breaches happen, we always hear them on the news. And now, we are in the era of cybercrimes. So, most people are conscious of their information now.
To name a few, here are some examples of a cybersecurity breach:
- Yahoo 2013 – compromised 3 billion user accounts due to a phishing attempt
- eBay 2014 – leaked customers’ passwords
- Equifax 2017 – the vulnerability put the 145 million Americans’ personal details at risk
- Marriot Hotels 2018 – cybersecurity and data breach affected up to 500 million customers’ records
- Facebook 2018 – software gaps lost 29 million users’ personal data
Types of cybersecurity breaches
There are many types of cybersecurity breaches. These include the following:
- Weak passwords – easy-to-crack passwords are a way of leaking information. For example, some people use ‘password123’ or any other easy ones. So, they are prone to breaches and hacks.
- Exploit – vulnerable systems. For example, outdated OS or unpatched apps. Unsupported Windows versions are also prone to exploits.
- Malware attacks – phishing emails or suspicious links. Just one click and this can be installed to you. It can even spread throughout your computer network.
- Drive-by downloads – sudden pop-ups or download links from spoofed websites. Then, it will give viruses or malware to your computer.
- Social engineering – usually by phishing emails. For example, a hacker pretends to be a reputable company or even the company’s IT department. Then, it will get access to your accounts.
In the examples we have, these are the types they experienced:
- Yahoo, phishing attack
- Facebook, exploit
Now, we know that there are many ways to breach. So, how can you protect yourself against it?
How to protect yourself against a cybersecurity breach
In reality, no one is immune to a cybersecurity breach. Even IT companies can experience it. But, having good security habits can help.
For one, every individual should practice good password habits. These habits include:
- Use strong passwords. It is obviously the best tip. A good and strong password consists of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. So, hackers will have a hard time hacking your account.
- Use different passwords on different accounts. If not, hackers will access all of your accounts at once. For example, they hacked your Facebook account. And you’re using the same password in your bank account. So, they can access it, too.
- Change your passwords regularly. Doing so will help you avoid an unannounced breach. It’s also advisable to close accounts that you’re not using anymore.
