How Data Leaks Happen: Several major data breaches have occurred in the past few days. Sensitive data is being exposed, which can cause significant damage. But how does this happen?
How Data Leak Happens: How do data leak incidents happen?
How Data Leak Happens: Several incidents of data leaks have been reported in the past few days. In the latest case, a report by Alibi Global Threat Intelligence Group states that data related to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the military is being sold on the dark web for $8,000 . This approximately 31GB of data has been available on the dark web for the past two weeks. DRDO has stated that it will investigate the veracity of this report. Previously, data from Bank of Baroda was leaked, which reportedly included sensitive information related to Aadhaar cards and accounts. Last month, data from Apple supplier Tata Electronics was also leaked. Today, we will learn how data leaks occur and the reasons behind them.
What does data leak mean?
A data breach occurs when sensitive information accidentally falls into the wrong hands. For example, a flaw in a cloud storage server could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information. The most common cause of data breaches is human error, such as an employee leaking sensitive information via email or text, or leaving a device unlocked or unprotected. Hackers can exploit such situations.
How is a data breach different from a data leak?
While data leaks and data breaches are generally considered the same thing, there are significant differences. While data leaks are usually caused by errors or poor data security, a data breach is a cyberattack that steals data. A data breach can result in financial losses and significant damage to a company's reputation.
What causes data leaks?
Human error – As mentioned above, data leaks due to human error are common. Negligence in the management of sensitive data, selecting the wrong recipient when sending an email or message, and sharing confidential information without authorization can all lead to data leaks. In 2021, an employee in the US city of Dallas caused a 23TB data leak due to a mistake.
Phishing - Hackers use this tactic to trick people into obtaining personal data. They can steal personal information by sending malicious links in emails. This method can also steal login credentials, which can be used for larger attacks.
Insider Threat – Even people working within a company, network, or organization can leak sensitive information. In 2021, a case came to light when four lawyers working at a law firm stole all the company's files to help a competing firm open a new office.
Technical flaws – Outdated software, weak authentication protocols, and outdated systems can also cause data leaks. These make it easier for hackers to access sensitive data. Furthermore, misconfigured APIs are also increasing the risk of data leaks. This flaw can cause significant damage, especially in cloud and microservices architectures.
Data in transit – Data sent through email and messages can also be intercepted. Without protection methods like encryption, sensitive information can be leaked. Similarly, data stored in databases, clouds, and servers is also at risk of leakage if strong security is not provided.
The data being used may also be leaked
The data you use can also be leaked in some situations. If you're using an unencrypted system, it's easier to hack into your device.
