Threats to Data

Threats to Data

1. Opportunist Threat

   • People find a computer unattended. It has been left logged on.
   • It is easy to use the computer to access sensitive personal and company information.
   • They could also steal your customer database

2. Computer Viruses

   • Can be received via email or on a memory stic
   • They can "self replicate" which means they can make copies of themselves and cause networks to fail.

3. Malware

   • Internet Worms
   • Trojan Horses
   • Spyware

4. Phishing

   • Comes via email and often pretend to be from a bank.
   • They might tell you that you need to verify your security information via a website.
   • When you go to the website, it looks like a proper bank website.
   • You enter your details and then they steal your money.

5. Accidental Damage

   • If you drop a laptop, the screen might crack but even worse, the hard disk may become damaged which means you can't get to your data.
   • You might spill a drink on your computer which damages it beyond repair. Again you will lose your data and it is the data that is important to you.
   • There are companies that specialise in data recovery (at a price) and they might be able to recover data from your hard disk.
   • However, there are no guarantees. The very best thing you can do to protect your data is to back up your work regularly.

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