What are the 3 main things hackers may do with the data they are stealing?
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Read More News onCybersecuritycyber crimephishinghackingHackerssmishingInternet Stay on top of technology and startup news that matters. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest and must-read tech news, delivered straight to your inbox. By pushing more consumers to do business online, the pandemic has created new opportunities for cybercriminals. A 2020 Experian holiday survey of 1,000 consumers found 24% had suffered fraud or identity theft during the holidays—double the percentage a similar survey found in 2019. Using your personal information, hackers can apply for credit card accounts, government benefits and loans in your name. Identity theft can damage your credit and inflict harm that takes years to undo. Here's what hackers can do with your personal information and how to keep it safe. What Hackers Do With Stolen InformationHackers have been known to commit a variety of crimes using stolen information. These crimes include:
Hackers may also use your Social Security number (SSN) to create a synthetic ID—a false identity that merges your data with theirs. And identity theft can be particularly damaging for children. Hackers may steal a child's personal information long before the child is old enough to have bank accounts or credit cards and receive bills. Often, the theft isn't discovered until the child is old enough to apply for a credit card or student loan and is denied. How to Protect Yourself From HackersTo safeguard your personal data from hackers, make these preventive steps part of your routine.
The Bottom LineOne way to protect your personal data is to regularly review your credit report for suspicious activity. You can also sign up for free credit monitoring to get alerted when there are unexpected changes in your credit report, which can help you quickly respond to some types of fraud. Wondering if your information has been sold to criminals? Experian's free, one-time dark web scan checks for your Social Security number, email or phone number. Signing up for Experian's identity theft protection plans can also provide even more peace of mind. What are the 3 main types of hackers?Hackers fall into three general categories: black hat hackers, white hat hackers, and gray hat hackers. Although hackers are often associated with exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to computers, systems, or networks, not all hacking is malicious or illegal.
What are 3 reasons that hackers hack?Some common reasons for hacking include basic bragging rights, curiosity, revenge, boredom, challenge, theft for financial gain, sabotage, vandalism, corporate espionage, blackmail, and extortion. Hackers are known to regularly cite these reasons to explain their behavior.
What are the top 3 data breaches?Top 23 Biggest Data Breaches in US History. 1. Yahoo! Date: 2013-2016. ... . Microsoft. Date: January 2021. ... . First American Financial Corp. Date: May 2019. ... . 4. Facebook. Date: April 2021. ... . LinkedIn. Date: April 2021. ... . JPMorgan Chase. Date: June 2014. ... . Home Depot. Date: April 2014. ... . MySpace. Date: June 2013.. What happens when hackers steal your data?Applying for credit cards or loans in your name. Accessing your bank accounts, retirement accounts and other financial accounts. Filing fraudulent tax returns to get an income tax refund in your name. Using your health insurance to access medical care.
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