4 Ways Hackers Could Steal Your Data in Seconds

4 ways hackers could steal your data in seconds: USB attack, wireless attack, fake patch hack, and the water cooler hack.

Let’s be honest for a second – hackers can do pretty much anything. They’ve been able to break into NASA, turn off power grids and even take down part of North Korea’s internet access. So if hackers can do all this, what’s stopping them from stealing your personal data?

According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR), hackers use four different techniques to steal data. The DBIR describes how hackers use the following techniques:

1) USB Attack

This method involves hackers using an outsider infiltration method to gain access to your data. They can put hackers on USBs which they then simply plug into an office computer and copy data. Once hackers have the data, it’s all sent back to them via email or FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The DBIR explains that hackers are always looking for opportunities like this where employees neglect security practices.

2) Wireless Hack

This method involves hackers using a wireless access point to gain access to your data. The hacker will likely set up the access point unnoticeably, and then hackers can copy data from employees’ computers onto an online storage device such as Dropbox. Once hackers have the data, it’s all sent back to them via email or FTP.

3) Fake Patch Hack

This method hackers use to get access to your data involves hackers masquerading as a software company. They’ll send you an official looking email, complete with logos and the typical ‘From:’ address, which includes a patch that will fix a security hole in your computer. If hackers successfully make you download it, hackers can gain access to your data.

4) Water Cooler Hack

This method hackers use when gaining access to your data involves hackers masquerading as a messenger or another employee within the office. Although hackers have sent emails containing malicious links and files through social media channels, hackers are more likely to send hackers through the water cooler. Hackers may ask another employee to deliver them a USB with data on, or hand out USBs which hackers have previously loaded with malware. So if you’ve got sensitive information at work, it’s important that everyone knows how hackers could steal your data in seconds.

If hackers do manage to steal your data, hackers could use it for a variety of reasons. Hackers may sell the data to other hackers or third party organisations who could then turn around and use it for their own personal gain. Some hackers do so under duress – they’re forced to take part in the hack by a terrorist organisation or criminal gang.

Hackers may be after data which hackers can use to blackmail you, or hackers could simply want the information to create fake identities. The DBIR suggests hackers could also be looking for intellectual property or information about your customers that hackers can then sell. Whatever hackers are after, hackers will take advantage of any opportunity to get their hands on your data in seconds.

Hackers often go undetected for months, sometimes even years before they’re identified. But with the right IT company to help, hackers can be stopped in their tracks before hackers manage to steal your data. Hackers won’t come near your data if hackers can’t even get into your office or onto your network.