Data Interception and Theft are unethical means to gain access to personal or business information. Data interception and theft mean an unauthorised alteration in the data transmission for personal or financial benefits. While as, data theft means stealing digital information for misuse.
In most cases, personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails are stolen by hackers. However, business information also contains vital data about finance, management, planning, and structure.
This data will cost much more if it is not safe or easily accessed through some software or coding. Sometimes hackers trap innocent people to steal their information such as spam calls and emails.
Most of the time financially motivated criminals take advantage of a person’s lack of knowledge and steal their data.
In this article, we will see What is Data Interception and Theft. In addition, how to protect and prevent the data to secure your personal and business information.
What is Data Interception and Theft Definition?
There are millions of information we are sending over the internet every second through the computer, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Superfast internet speed makes it possible to transfer and share huge amounts of data in a short period of time.
Major tech companies are handling this information and most of the users don’t know how their data transferred or exchanged with the servers.
Hence, people who know about data transfer and algorithms may intercept or steal your data with the help of third-party software and coding.
Hackers, Internet marketers, and other thieves obtain this information for their own personal use and to further their criminal interests.
They will search for weaknesses in the security of the computer system. They will hack into it, gain access, and then use that information they have to do damage. It is much like if they cut into your home and took your money, bank account information, and anything else that’s worth having.
Nowadays, data interception and theft have become a billion-dollar business because of the power of computers. With a laptop or desktop computer, anyone can have access to your private and personal information.
Many people think that identity theft does not happen over the Internet but this is not true. There are millions of dollars being stolen every year.
More than nine out of every ten cases involve financial institutions. The top three areas where people obtain financial information are:
- Direct Deposit
- Credit Cards
- Loans
Banks, companies and governments collect a huge volume of data on individuals. This data includes Social Security numbers, tax information and bank account numbers.
Besides this, personal data is collected by companies such as social security numbers, dates of birth and more. Businesses use this data to do things like track sales, employee productivity and employee motivation.
It is not difficult to imagine how valuable customer lists and other confidential customer information are to these businesses. Hence, Identity theft is a serious threat to all of us because of privacy violations and financial losses.
Thieves and hackers are using different methods for data interception and theft, which will be seen in the next section.
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Different Ways of Data Interception and Theft
➡ Network intrusion is one of the most common ways of data theft, and it is surprisingly easy for even experienced professionals to get caught out.
It is particularly common for network attacks to target companies that rely heavily on email for their communication and information delivery. With a large email server operating resources, the impact of a successful attack can be enormous.
➡ Data mining is the second major way of data interception and theft. With this method, attackers gain access to the company’s data through a process of deception.
They use fake credentials and false signals in order to get into a company system and gather information. Once they extract the information, it becomes easy for them to clear company accounts and make unauthorized transactions.
In addition, they may use the information to obtain new credit cards, open new bank accounts, or even create a new identity. In the face of strict privacy policies and legal compliance, all of this can put the company at risk of serious legal actions.
➡ In major companies, employees sometimes alter or modify the data of other employees to take over their position. This can be possible as all computers are connected to the same network.
➡ Besides this, hackers can send you relevant email or phone calls to access your data by connecting with you over the internet.
➡ In smartphones, unauthorized third-party software contains malicious code which can give access to steal your private information directly.
Generally, people are not aware of these kinds of situations, hence they become targets and lose data. Thus, in the next section, I will provide information about how can you protect against data interception and theft.
7 Methods to Protect Against Data Interception and Theft?
Data security is becoming a major concern for businesses these days. The attacks on business networks have grown in sophistication and there are now more ways than ever for intruders to get their hands on data.
This has put business leaders in an uncomfortable position. The only way to counter this problem is through the implementation of different types of security measures. Here are 7 methods that can protect you against data interception and theft.
1️⃣ Cybersecurity:
Cybersecurity refers to the set of systems, policies, procedures, training and other steps that are necessary to keep your computer system safe.
A computer is protected by software that has been created to stop hackers from getting into your computer and stealing your information.
Cybersecurity does not refer to the hardware, but it will stop gaining access to all of your information over the internet.
2️⃣ Virus and Spyware Protection:
To protect your personal and private data it is always recommended to have the latest virus and spyware protection and updated anti-virus software.
In addition, If we take this idea a step further, we should also make sure our computers are running on the latest version of the operating system.
Apart from this, most operating system provides inbuilt virus protection for the computers such as Windows Security and Ransomware protection.
3️⃣ Encryption Technology:
Encryption technology secures data so that it cannot be read by others. The technology makes it impossible to read data without a key.
All personal and financial data is at high risk for theft if a business is not using encryption technology. Hence, a business that wants to protect its data should consider using encryption technology.
4️⃣ Data Intercept Security Softwares:
To secure your data, you need to choose a company that specializes in data intercept security software. This software will provide you with the best solution to protect your data as they are experts in computer security and internet security.
However, before you buy software you should look for references from previous customers. Particular companies that offer a free trial will be more likely to offer good products and support.
The most important thing is when you buy data intercept software, make sure you understand what features the software has. Is it only able to intercept unencrypted data? Can it also be used to encrypt data? Does the software provide password protection?
5️⃣ Data Filtering System:
The data filtering system is also providing adequate protection against data interception and theft. If you have enough budget you can buy multiple filtering systems for decent data security.
With the help of a data filtering system, you can monitor any kind of traffic going into or out of your business premises. Moreover, all the data sent in and out over the internet, you can monitor and analyse with this system.
6️⃣ Firewall Protection:
For businesses, having firewall protection is the strategic point to maintaining tight control over the installation of new software and hardware.
It is an ethical step to protect the company from external threats by implementing different systems of surveillance.
Thus, firewall protection ensures that intruders and other people do not get access to data within the company’s computer systems. You can activate the windows defender firewall to protect your data if you are using the Microsoft windows operating system.
7️⃣ Strong Password Protection:
To protect against data interception and theft, creating a strong password and username is a fine security measure for a person and business.
When you work over the internet, your username and password should be strong so no one can access your information as it is hard to guess or crack.
Nowadays, advanced security options give you some smart features like 2-factor authentication. In this option, you have to verify your identity by providing a security key that is received over the registered mobile number or email address.
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How to Prevent Data Interception and Theft?
In the previous section, we saw how to protect personal and business information by using different methods that can secure your vital data.
Since many people don’t have an idea of how to escape from being caught in identity theft, here are some important things you should know about how to prevent data interception and theft.
➡ You always have to be careful while putting your data over the internet. If you don’t follow the security measures then hackers will find a way to access your data.
Even though you think it is safe to submit your important data on a company’s website, it is still not safe.
Because hackers do not care about where data can be accessed they just want personal and financial information that you input on the Internet.
➡ The best method to prevent data interception and theft is to think like a hacker. It will give ideas on how hackers can access your computer and get your information.
➡ Make sure that all of your financial documents are safe and secure. If you don’t need any of your financial documents, such as credit card statements or bank statements, you must permanently delete them.
➡ You will also need to monitor the credit reports that you receive on a regular basis. This will allow you to check for identity theft if there is an issue that you notice.
➡ Never give access to any unauthorised persons over the phone calls, messages, or email addresses. If you give access then you are prone to getting your information stolen.
➡ Last but not least, every time you finish your work make sure to clear the logs and sign out from the accounts.
💡 Important Note:
If you are a victim of identity theft, you will need to file a police report so that you can get your rights legally. You should also collect credit reports and other evidence to make sure that all of the information has been properly reported. Moreover, you should also report any incidents of identity theft to the local law enforcement authorities so that they can assist you with your claim.
Conclusion
In nutshell, data interception and theft can cost so much to a person or business. There are seven methods given above you should consider protecting your data from being stolen by hackers. In addition, prevention is always better than cure, hence apply important security measures to protect your personal, professional, and financial data.