Ways and methods 1
There are various methods through which identity theft can occur, which includes the following:
Phishing:
Identity thieves send fraudulent emails or set up fake websites to trick individuals into providing their personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, or Social Security numbers.
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Data Breaches:
Cybercriminals target organizations and gain unauthorized access to their databases, compromising sensitive customer information. They can then use this data for identity theft purposes.
Fraudsters may adopt different methods as mentioned below to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data:
Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities: Attackers search for and exploit weaknesses in software systems, applications, or firmware. They take advantage of unpatched vulnerabilities or misconfigurations to gain unauthorized access to an organization's network or sensitive data.
Social Engineering: Attackers use deceptive and manipulative tactics, such as phishing emails, fraudulent calls, fake offers etc., to trick individuals into revealing their login credentials or other sensitive information.
Malware Attacks: Attackers deploy malicious software, such as viruses, worms, or ransomware, to infiltrate an organization's systems. Malware can be delivered through infected email attachments, compromised websites, or malicious downloads. Once inside the network, the malware can enable unauthorized access or steal sensitive data.
Insider Threats: Data breaches can occur when insiders with authorized access misuse their privileges or unintentionally expose sensitive information. This can involve intentionally stealing or leaking data, weak password management, falling victim to social engineering attacks, or inadvertently sharing data without proper safeguards.
Brute Force Attacks: Attackers employ automated tools to systematically guess login credentials, such as usernames and passwords, until they gain access to an account or system. Brute force attacks exploit weak or easily guessable passwords, and they can be particularly effective if proper security measures, such as account lockouts or multifactor authentication, are not in place.
SQL Injection: Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that use databases. By injecting malicious Structured Query Language (SQL) code into input fields, they can manipulate database queries and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within.