{"id":429304,"date":"2022-04-09T18:00:59","date_gmt":"2022-04-09T15:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks\/"},"modified":"2022-04-09T18:00:59","modified_gmt":"2022-04-09T15:00:59","slug":"your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks\/","title":{"rendered":"#Your digital footprints could help hackers infiltrate computer networks"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a508f4ce7d50\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a508f4ce7d50\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks\/#%E2%80%9CYour_digital_footprints_could_help_hackers_infiltrate_computer_networks%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Your digital footprints could help hackers infiltrate computer networks&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks\/#Following_footprints_to_better_bait\" >Following footprints to better bait<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks\/#A_big_problem_and_what_to_do_about_it\" >A big problem and what to do about it<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CYour_digital_footprints_could_help_hackers_infiltrate_computer_networks%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Your digital footprints could help hackers infiltrate computer networks&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n                            When you use the internet, you leave behind a trail of data, a set of digital footprints. These include your <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social media<\/a> activities, web browsing behavior, health information, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a> patterns, location maps, information about your mobile device use, photos, audio and video. This data is collected, collated, stored and analyzed by various organizations, from the big social media companies to <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a> makers to data brokers. As you might imagine, your digital footprints put your privacy at risk, but they also affect cybersecurity.<\/p>\n<p>As acybersecurity<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=pvxc54kAAAAJ&amp;hl=en\"> researcher<\/a>, I track the threat posed by digital footprints on cybersecurity. Hackers are able to use personal information gathered online to suss out answers to security challenge questions like \u201cin what city did you meet your spouse?\u201d or to hone phishing attacks by posing as a colleague or work associate. When phishing attacks are successful, they give the attackers access to networks and systems the victims are authorized to use.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Following_footprints_to_better_bait\"><\/span>Following footprints to better bait<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Phishing attacks have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apwg.org\/trendsreports\/\">doubled from early 2020<\/a>. The success of phishing attacks depends on how authentic the contents of messages appear to the recipient. All phishing attacks require certain information about the targeted people, and this information can be obtained from their digital footprints.<\/p>\n<p>Hackers can use freely available <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/osintframework.com\/\">open source intelligence<\/a> gathering tools to discover the digital footprints of their targets. An attacker can mine a target\u2019s digital footprints, which can include audio and video, to extract information such as contacts, relationships, profession, career, likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies, travel and frequented locations.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p>                <iframe loading=\"lazy\" srcdoc=\"&lt;style&gt;*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden}html,body{background:#000;height:100%}img{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;transition:opacity .1s cubic-bezier(0.4,0,1,1)}a:hover img+img{opacity:1!important}&lt;\/style&gt;&lt;a href=\" https:=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/RVX8ZSAR4OY\/hqdefault.jpg\" style=\"top: 50%;left:50%;width:68px;height:48px;transform:translate3d(-50%,-50%,0)\" height=\"240\" width=\"320\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>        <!--resp-video-container--><\/p>\n<figure><figcaption><em><span class=\"caption\">Your online activities may feel fleeting, but they leave traces.<\/span><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>They can then use this information to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.knowbe4.com\/spear-phishing\/#RealWorld\">craft phishing messages<\/a> that appear more like legitimate messages coming from a trusted source. The attacker can deliver these personalized messages, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mitnicksecurity.com\/blog\/spear-phishing-targeted-email-scams-what-you-need-to-know-about-this-hacking-technique\">spear phishing emails<\/a>, to the victim or compose as the victim and target the victim\u2019s colleagues, friends and family. Spear phishing attacks can fool even those who are trained to recognize phishing attacks.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most successful forms of phishing attacks has been <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fbi.gov\/scams-and-safety\/common-scams-and-crimes\/business-email-compromise\">business email compromise<\/a> attacks. In these attacks, the attackers pose as people with legitimate business relationships \u2013 colleagues, vendors and customers \u2013 to initiate fraudulent financial transactions.<\/p>\n<p>A good example is the attack targeting the firm <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/krebsonsecurity.com\/2015\/08\/tech-firm-ubiquiti-suffers-46m-cyberheist\/\">Ubiquity Networks Inc. in 2015<\/a>. The attacker sent emails, which looked like they were coming from top executives to employees. The email requested the employees to make wire transfers, resulting in fraudulent transfers of $46.7 million.<\/p>\n<p>Access to the computer of a victim of a phishing attack can give the attacker access to networks and systems of the victim\u2019s employer and clients. For instance, one of the employees at retailer Target\u2019s HVAC vendor <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/anatomy-of-the-target-data-breach-missed-opportunities-and-lessons-learned\/\">fell victim to phishing attack<\/a>. The attackers used his workstation to gain access to Target\u2019s internal network, and then to their payment network. The attackers used the opportunity to infect point-of-sale systems used by Target and steal data on 70 million credit cards.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_big_problem_and_what_to_do_about_it\"><\/span>A big problem and what to do about it<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Computer security company <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.de\/cloud-content\/us\/pdfs\/security-intelligence\/white-papers\/wp-spear-phishing-email-most-favored-apt-attack-bait.pdf\">Trend Micro<\/a> found that 91% of attacks in which the attackers <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/csrc.nist.gov\/glossary\/term\/advanced_persistent_threat\">gained undetected access to networks<\/a> and used that access over time started with phishing messages. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verizon.com\/business\/en-gb\/resources\/reports\/dbir\/\">Verizon\u2019s Data Breach Investigations Report<\/a> found that 25% of all data breach incidents involved phishing.<\/p>\n<p>Given the significant role played by phishing in cyberattacks, I believe it\u2019s important for organizations to educate their employees and members about managing their digital footprints. This training should cover how to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techjunkie.com\/track-identity-internet\/\">find the extent of your digital footprints<\/a>, how to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/228828\/7-ways-to-secure-your-web-browser-against-attacks\/nternet\">browse securely<\/a> and how to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalgrads.com\/social-media-footprint\/\">use social media responsibly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>[<em>Over 150,000 readers rely on The Conversation\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>letters to understand the world.<\/em> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/memberservices.theconversation.com\/newsletters\/?source=inline-150ksignup\">Sign up today<\/a>.]<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"js-lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/177123\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines --><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/177123\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" class=\"\" srcset=\"\"\/><\/noscript><br \/>\n<em>This article by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/ravi-sen-1224935\">Ravi Sen<\/a>, Associate Professor of Information and Operations Management, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/texas-aandm-university-1672\">Texas A&amp;M University<\/a>, is republished from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/your-digital-footprints-are-more-than-a-privacy-risk-they-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks-177123\">original article<\/a>.<\/em>\n                        <\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/your-digital-footprints-could-help-hackers-infiltrate-computer-networks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Your digital footprints could help hackers infiltrate computer networks&#8221; When you use the internet, you leave behind a trail of data, a set of digital footprints. These include your social media activities, web browsing behavior, health information, travel patterns, location maps, information about your mobile device use, photos, audio and video. This data is collected,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":429305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/tnw?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2022\/04\/Digital-footprints-cybersecurity-hed.jpg&signature=1c2e625c0f9dac1192188deb89f0d815","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-429304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=429304"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/429304\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/429305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=429304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=429304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=429304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}