Types of security breaches

 

There are a number of security breaches, depending on how access to the system was obtained:

security breach meaning

The abuse attacks a system vulnerability, such as an outdated operating system. For example, legacy systems that have not been updated in businesses using outdated and no longer supported versions of Microsoft Windows are particularly vulnerable to exploits.

Weak passwords can be cracked or guessed. Even now, some people are still using the 'password' password and 'pa $$ word' is not much more secure.

Malware attacks such as phishing emails can be used to gain login. Just one employee needs to click a link in a phishing email for malware to start spreading on the network.

Car downloads use viruses or malware that are compromised or sent via a fake website.

Social engineering can also be used to gain access. For example, an intruder calls an employee who claims to be from the company's IT help desk and asks for a password to 'fix' the computer.

In the breach examples we mentioned above, a number of different techniques were used to gain access to networks - Yahoo was attacked by a phishing attack, while Facebook was hacked by an exploit.

security breach examples

We're talking about security breaches as they affect large organizations, the same security breaches apply to individuals' computers and other devices. You are probably less likely to be attacked using an exploit, but many computer users have been infected with malware, whether it was downloaded as part of a software package or introduced to the computer through a phishing attack. Weak passwords and the use of public Wi-Fi networks can compromise internet communications. 

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