Digital Security

Learn Why Digital Security Is Important

Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:

• Define digital security and explain why it’s important.
• List types of information hackers want.
• Identify malicious tactics hackers commonly use.

Digital Security Gets Personal

Imagine you just bought a brand-new house. It’s the home you’ve always dreamed of—the perfect place to keep your priceless family heirlooms and treasured knick-knacks. 

On the Monday after move-in weekend, you get up, put on the coffee, complete your morning routine, and leave the house for work. You’re all settled in when suddenly panic sets in. You forgot to lock your front door! 

Your mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario. What will happen to your precious belongings? Can you expect them to stay safe? Probably not. 

The same is true of your digital life. You can’t expect your valuable information to stay secure if you don’t lock the proverbial door. This means maintaining personal digital security or protecting your identity, assets, and technology in the cyber world. 

Unfortunately, millions of people have learned the importance of digital security the hard way. According to the Breach Level Index, more than 14 billion individual data records have been exposed globally since 2013. That’s 73 records every second. As our digital footprints continue to grow, we can expect these numbers only to increase. That is, unless we all brush up on personal digital security basics. 

You might be thinking, “Why would anyone care about little old me?” Well, let’s just say you’re more important than you think. You’ve got a ton of information hackers would love to get their hands on! Let’s take a look at the common types of information hackers are out to get from you.

Your Oh-So-Valuable Information

The Breach Level Index also shows that two-thirds of global data breaches are caused by identity theft. But info used for identity theft is only the tip of the iceberg. There are three big buckets of info that hackers are digging into (and that you should keep secure). 

Personally Identifiable Information

This is any information that can be used to identify or locate you, including your name, address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and IP address. Hackers can use this information to steal your identity or use it via social engineering to gain access to even more info. 

Personal Payment Information

Snagging payment information is an easy way for a hacker to make a quick buck. But it’s not only credit card numbers that are at risk. Cybercriminals are also out to get debit card numbers, online banking credentials, checking account numbers, and PIN numbers.

Personal Health Information

Health information is the most valuable form of information for a hacker, with one record going for upward of thousands of dollars on the black market. That’s because a typical health record includes a combo platter of personal identifiable information plus health data, which hackers use to order and resell drugs or to file bogus insurance claims. 

It can be overwhelming to think about all of the places you store this information across your digital ecosystem. Never fear. We’re going to give you practical ways to keep all of it safe in the next unit. But first, let’s talk about common tactics hackers use to find and steal your information.

Common Cybercrimes

Cybercriminals are constantly developing new tactics to access your information. In fact, the 2018 Internet Crime Report, developed by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, tracked more than 35 different categories of cybercrime committed last year. Here are some of the most common tactics to be on the lookout for. 

Phishing

Phishing is a widespread tactic in which cybercriminals masquerade as trustworthy entities to acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. This method typically leverages email to trick users into giving up credentials or downloading software intended to damage or control a device or network.

Social Engineering

In the context of security, social engineering is the art of manipulating people into handing over their valuable information. Criminals use social engineering tactics because it’s usually easier to exploit your natural inclination to trust than it is to actually hack your software. For example, you might receive a phone call from a hacker who, posed as your cable service provider, offers a free upgrade in exchange for login credentials.

Malware

The term malware is short for malicious software, and is any software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Different kinds of malware include viruses, Trojans, and spyware. 

Shoulder Surfing

This is the practice of looking “over the shoulder” of someone using an ATM or electronic device, and then taking a photo of their screen or jotting down their valuable information. People often fall victim to this tactic when they’re distracted, in a rush, or in a crowded, public place.

Now you know the types of information hackers look for and how they get to them. In the next unit, you find out what you can do to protect yourself.