Data theft or information theft describes when data is illegally copied or taken from a business or other individuals. Commonly, this data is user information such as passwords, social security numbers, credit card information, personal information, or other confidential corporate information.

Because this information is illegally obtained, when the individual who stole it is apprehended, they’re prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. How they’re prosecuted varies depending on where they’re located and where the data theft occurred.

How does data theft happen?

Data theft can occur because of any of the following reasons.

Although this term is described as “theft,” it usually does not describe the action of taking information away from someone else. Instead, when data theft occurs, the attacker is usually copying or duplicating the information.

  • How does data theft happen?

  • Why would someone want to steal my data?

  • What should I do if I’m a victim of data theft?

  • Phishing - Users falling for phishing attacks is a common method of gaining access to personal information or user account information where personal information can be found.

  • Bad password - Using a common password or the same password on every website is how an attacker can access an account. Also, if the company storing your information doesn’t have good password practices, an attacker could access all customer accounts.

  • Database or server problems - If a company storing your information is attacked because of a database or server problem, the attacker could access all customers’ personal information.

  • Publicly available information - A lot of publicly available information can be found through searches on the Internet and information users post on their social networks.

  • Bad employee - Employees who work for a company can access customers’ personal information. If an employee has malicious intentions, this information could be stolen.

  • Shoulder surfing - If you’re using a computer in an area where someone could shoulder surf, they could watch your screen and keyboard to steal information like your login details.

Why would someone want to steal my data?

Most data theft occurs because a malicious person wants to sell or use it for identity theft. If enough information is known, that information could be used to access more secure accounts, set up credit cards under your name, or use your identity for another reason.

For recommendations on protecting yourself from the above threats, see: How to protect yourself while on the Internet.

What should I do if I’m a victim of data theft?

If you believe you’re a victim of data theft, see the following link for suggestions for protecting yourself.

  • What should I do if I’ve been hacked?

Computer crime, Data, Hacker, Identity theft, Security terms, Theft

  • How to protect yourself while on the Internet.
  • What is the difference between data and information?
  • Computer security help and support.