1. Malicious attack from internetNontechnical attack is when perpetrator uses deception or persuasion to trick users into revealing their personal information or conducting actions that compromise the security of their network. Technical attack is conducted using software and systems knowledge or expertise, such as spyware, malware, viruses, worms, and Trojan horse.
2. Stolen hardware Data stored on laptops, external hard disks, CDs, and other portable storage devices are loss and exposed to potential abuse when the hardware are stolen.
3. Faulty hardwareWithout proper backup systems, any data stored in the computer will be loss permanently if the hard disk becomes faulty and unrecoverable.
Now, let’s have a quick view of a few cases where the users’ data were stolen.
· April 2007, University of California, San Francisco (due to hacker)
The University’s server which contained confidential information such as names, social security numbers and bank account details of 46,000 students, faculty and staff was hacked into.
· April 2007, Georgia (due to stolen hardware)
A company lost a CD consisting 2.9 million Georgia residents’ names, social security numbers, addresses and members identification for recipients of Medicaid and other medical programme which belonged to Georgia Department of Community Health.
· 2006, Own experiences (due to key logger)
My brother’s MSN and his online games’ accounts were hacked. This unknown person was using his MSN chat room, messing around with his games’ characters and spamming mails using his hotmail account.
The University’s server which contained confidential information such as names, social security numbers and bank account details of 46,000 students, faculty and staff was hacked into.
· April 2007, Georgia (due to stolen hardware)
A company lost a CD consisting 2.9 million Georgia residents’ names, social security numbers, addresses and members identification for recipients of Medicaid and other medical programme which belonged to Georgia Department of Community Health.
· 2006, Own experiences (due to key logger)
My brother’s MSN and his online games’ accounts were hacked. This unknown person was using his MSN chat room, messing around with his games’ characters and spamming mails using his hotmail account.
For more cases, visit:
- http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/2007/05/identity-theft-cases-on-stolen-laptops.html
- http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/12/11/193220.php
- http://www.bio-itworld.com/BioIT_Content.aspx?id=74012
In conclusion, as an internet user, we must be very careful in handling our data. Hence, proper anti-virus, anti-spyware and strong firewall programs are necessary. Frequent data backup and data encryption are also very important. For more prevention methods, visit:
- http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Simple-Tips-to-Prevent-Data-Loss&id=385794
- http://wordprocessing.about.com/od/troubleshooting/a/dataloss.htm
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