The world is turning digital. This is excellent for discovering new information or connecting with friends scattered across the globe. On the other hand, it also means there’s an increased risk of hackers stealing your personal information in a cyber attack. But what does that mean for the average consumer?
What is a Cyber Attack?
Cyber attacks are when hackers, acting independently or for an outside group or government, attempt to steal, destroy, or otherwise illegally access the data in computer systems. They do this to gain information such as usernames and passwords, though there are many other reasons.
What Do Hackers Do With Stolen Information?
If a hacker steals usernames and passwords, they can do several things with them. The first is to ransom it to the company from whom they stole it. The company would have to pay the hackers or risk seeing the data released across the internet.
The second is to sell the data anyway to anonymous buyers. The buyers can then use it to access accounts, extort their owners, or otherwise gain an advantage over unassuming, regular people.
These reasons are only the tip of the iceberg regarding the dangers of cyber attacks. Before starting a business or opening an account with one, always ensure the cyber security you’re dealing with is top of the line to protect your information.