Sensitive information such as personal
information and identity, passwords are often
associated
with
personal
property
(for
example, bank accounts) and privacy and may
present
security
concerns
if
leaked.
Unauthorized access and usage of private
information may result in consequence such
as identity theft, as well as theft of property.
Common causes of information security
breaches include:
Phishing
Phishing is a type of scam where the
scammers disguise as a trustworthy source in
attempt to obtain private information such as passwords, and credit card information, etc.
through the internet. Phishing often occurs through emails and instant messaging and may
contain links to websites that direct the user to enter their private information. These fake
websites are often designed to look identical to their legitimate counterparts to avoid
suspicion from the user.[4]
Internet scams
Internet scams are schemes that deceive the user in various ways in attempt to take advantage
of them. Internet scams often aim to cheat the victim of personal property directly rather than
personal information through false promises, confidence tricks and more.
Malware
Malware, particularly spyware, is malicious software disguised as legitimate software
designed to collect and transmit private information, such as passwords, without the user's
consent or knowledge. They are often distributed through e-mail, software and files from
unofficial locations. Malware is one of the most prevalent security concerns as often it is
impossible to determine whether a file is infected, despite the source of the file.
Personal safety
The growth of the internet gave rise to many important services accessible to anyone with a
connection. One of these important services is digital communication. While this service
allowed us to communicate with others through the internet, this also allowed the
communication with malicious users. While malicious users often use the internet for personal
gain, this may not be limited to financial/material gain. This is especially a concern to parents
Magazine Without Borders
Issue n°2
29