It was revealed last week that the largest online dictionary, Glosbe, inadvertently exposed a server to the public, revealing personal data, encrypted passwords, social media identifiers, and other details belonging to nearly seven million users.
How secure is your personal data? Scan for any leaked info relating to your email
Glosbe, a multilingual dictionary that claims to cover all languages, is a service that is developed by the members of its community, much like Wikipedia. The leaked information poses severe risks to users, allowing threat actors to engage in cybercrime such as phishing attacks and unauthorized account access, thereby endangering individuals' privacy and security.
Customer data breaches have become an all-too-common occurrence, posing significant risks to individuals' privacy, financial security, and personal well-being. From large-scale cyberattacks on multinational corporations to targeted phishing schemes aimed at unsuspecting individuals, the dangers of data breaches loom large.
In the last few months alone, we’ve seen several high-profile, high-impacting data breaches: 15 million Trello users had their data leaked on the dark web; in December 2023, Norton Healthcare suffered a breach that affected the data of 2.5 million patients; and in October of 2023, 23andMe was subject to a credential-stuffing attack that saw the theft of data from nearly 7 million customers.
How do customer data breaches happen?
A customer data breach occurs when unauthorized individuals or entities gain access to sensitive personal information stored by organizations. This can include names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, financial data, login credentials, and other personally identifiable information (PII). Breaches can occur through various means, including hacking, malware infections, insider threats, phishing attacks, and insecure data storage practices.
Risks of customer data breaches
- Identity theft: One of the most significant risks associated with data breaches is identity theft, where cybercriminals use stolen personal information to impersonate individuals, open fraudulent accounts, make unauthorized purchases, and commit other forms of financial fraud.
- Financial losses: Data breaches can result in financial losses for affected individuals, including unauthorized charges on credit cards, drained bank accounts, and fraudulent loans or lines of credit opened in their names.
- Reputational damage: Data breaches can tarnish the reputation of the organizations involved, leading to loss of customer trust, negative publicity, and potential legal liabilities. Customers may be hesitant to do business with companies that have experienced security breaches, impacting their bottom line and long-term viability.
- Privacy violations: Data breaches compromise individuals' privacy by exposing sensitive personal information to unauthorized parties. This can lead to intrusive marketing practices, targeted advertising, and other forms of privacy violations that infringe upon individuals' rights to control their personal data.
What consumers need to be aware of
Although as consumers we tend to put our faith in the online companies whose services we use and trust that any data we may need to use to subscribe, including name, address, and credit card details, will be kept strictly confidential - ultimately, consumers also need to practice their digital hygiene as well, as we have seen that even with the best of intentions, corporations can be hacked and data stolen. Consumers should be preemptive, and take the following precautions:
- Beware of phishing attempts: Be wary of unsolicited emails, text messages, and phone calls requesting sensitive information or urging you to click on links or download attachments. These may be phishing attempts aimed at stealing your personal information or infecting your devices with malware.
- Use strong passwords and security measures: Use strong, unique passwords for each online account and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it harder for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
- Monitor financial accounts: Regularly monitor your bank accounts, credit card statements, and other financial accounts for any suspicious or unauthorized activity. Report any unauthorized transactions or discrepancies to your financial institution immediately.
- Cybersecurity awareness: Stay informed about data breaches and security incidents affecting organizations that you interact with regularly by leveraging tools like the Online Security web extension which includes a dark web monitoring feature. Monitor news updates, security advisories, and data breach notifications to stay abreast of potential risks to your personal information.
Navigating the perils of customer data breaches and protecting our digital identities in an increasingly interconnected world is a tough gig, but it’s imperative that we do so. Customer data breaches pose significant risks to individuals' privacy, financial security, and personal well-being. By understanding the risks associated with data breaches, staying informed about security threats, and implementing robust cybersecurity measures, consumers can take proactive steps to safeguard their personal information and mitigate the impact of potential breaches.
Secure your privacy. Check cybercriminals don’t have access to your personal info
For more information on ReasonLabs’ cybersecurity suite, including RAV Endpoint Protection, visit www.reasonlabs.com.
