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The data that hackers are most interested in

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 6:51 am
by shakilhasan15
During the first half of 2023, there was a substantial increase in account compromise, with credentials stolen, along with other sensitive data.

According to the latest analysis released by CRIF Cyber ​​Observatory , which aims to scrutinize the susceptibility of individuals and organizations to cybercrime, as well as the modus operandi with which information is shared in the realms of the open web and dark web and the type of data exchanged, it is imperative to consider the dangers associated with the dissemination of our information online today. In particular, personal details such as login credentials and contact information, elements that have become increasingly attractive to fraudsters and identity thieves.

In fact, if hackers manage to obtain a good portion of the victim's profiling data, they can carry out well-targeted attacks, using social engineering tactics to their advantage.

In this regard, CRIF warns of a particular threat that is increasingly widespread and which mainly affects companies: it is ransomware , a form of cyber attack that can lead to the so-called double extortion, where sensitive information is not only stolen, but also risks being spread on the dark web, representing a serious risk for the companies affected.

Table of Contents:

The data stolen most by hackers
Credit card data
Fraudulent ways of using data
The data stolen most by hackers
The first half of 2023 brought new revelations regarding the most stolen data on the web: emails were identified as the most vulnerable category, closely followed by service credentials , postal addresses, and phone numbers.

Furthermore, it emerged from the data provided by the Cyber ​​Observatory that, together with emails, telephone numbers have become a valuable personal data that must be safeguarded: in fact, in 29% of cases, this information combined with passwords significantly increases the level of threat to the user's privacy.

In essence, the victim runs the risk of receiving highly credible fraudulent messages, including requests for authorization of fake payments or threats of account blocking. Such messages, commonly known as smishing , or phishing SMS, often include malicious and deceptive links with the aim of extracting valuable information and reconstructing the geographic location and identity of the victim.

Another of the most dangerous forms of attack, perpetrated thanks to the knowledge of the phone number and password, is known as sim swapping. This fraudulent tactic can allow criminals to bypass two-factor authentication and gain illicit access to various services on behalf of the victim.

Credit card data
The theft of financial data, namely credit card data, has france telegram phone number list a growing concern in recent years. Cybercriminals can obtain sensitive information through a variety of methods, including skimming and phishing .

Once they have this data, they can use it to make unauthorized purchases or even sell it on the dark web. It is important that everyone takes precautions to protect their credit card information, such as regularly monitoring their accounts and being wary of suspicious activity.

Italy is currently ranked fifth among the countries most vulnerable to the illegal trade of credit card information, after the United States, France, Mexico, Denmark and Brazil.

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Fraudulent ways of using data
The study reveals a surprising revelation: the majority of compromised accounts and information are used by hackers to gain unauthorized access to entertainment sites (36.6%). Followed by social media (21.9%) and e-commerce accounts (21.2%), especially in the fashion sector .

To protect your information, it is essential to be vigilant and aware of cyber threats and take preventative measures to protect your personal data. Additionally, it is important to adopt good cybersecurity practices, such as using strong passwords , two-factor authentication , and installing antivirus software .