It may seem unlikely, but a child’s toy has the potential to compromise your personal data, and such incidents occur frequently. Consider your rubbish bin left outside—could it serve as a goldmine for an identity thief lurking in the neighbourhood at night?
Numerous everyday objects can become tools for identity theft, often overlooked as people concentrate on securing their computers and cloud accounts. While strong passwords and antivirus software are crucial for PC protection, it is equally important to remain cautious about other avenues through which hackers and thieves can access your personal information.
Here are six commonly exploited items that criminals can employ to steal your data.
Old Smart Phones
Individuals typically upgrade their smartphones approximately every two and a half years, resulting in a significant accumulation of old devices containing personal data. The amount of information stored on our mobile phones is staggering.
Not only do we have synchronised connections with cloud services, but we also store banking apps, business apps, and personal health apps on these compact devices. As chip technology continues to advance, smartphones can now store larger volumes of documents, spreadsheets, photos, and videos.
An old smartphone, often ending up at charity shops or in the trash, can be a treasure trove for cybercriminals seeking to steal data. To ensure the security of your personal information, it is crucial to thoroughly wipe any old phones by erasing all data and disposing of them properly. Merely discarding electronic devices like regular garbage is not sufficient.
Wireless Printers
Protect printers by ensuring you keep their firmware updated. Always install updates as soon as possible. You should also turn it off when you don’t need it. In today’s world, the majority of printers are equipped with wireless capabilities, allowing them to become part of your home or work network. The convenience of printing from any room is undeniable. However, the internet connectivity of printers also introduces a potential risk to your data security.
Printers have the capacity to store sensitive documents, such as tax paperwork or contracts, yet they are often overlooked when implementing data security measures. Consequently, they become vulnerable to hacking attempts. In the event of a successful breach, hackers can gain access to the printer’s data and even exploit it as a gateway to compromise other devices on the same network.
To safeguard your printers, it is crucial to regularly update their firmware, promptly installing any available updates. Additionally, turning off the printer when not in use eliminates its accessibility to potential hackers.When it’s off it’s not accessible by a hacker.
USB Sticks
Have you ever come across an abandoned USB stick? Maybe you thought you stumbled upon a free removable storage device, or perhaps you’re a well-intentioned individual hoping to locate its rightful owner. However, before delving into its contents to identify the owner, it is crucial to refrain from plugging an unknown USB device into your computer.
This practice has long been exploited by hackers who intentionally load these devices with malware and strategically leave them as bait. Once connected to your device, the USB stick can quickly infect it, leading to potential security breaches.
Old Hard Drives
When it comes to disposing of an old computer or removable drive, it is vital to ensure its thorough cleansing. Merely deleting files is insufficient, as computer hard drives can contain personal data in system and program files. Additionally, if you remain logged into a web browser, a significant amount of your personal information may be at risk.
Browsers often store passwords, credit card details, browsing history, and more. To safely prepare your computer drive for disposal, donation, or reuse, it is advisable to seek assistance from an IT professional who can properly erase the data.
Rubbish Bins
Identity theft criminals extend beyond the digital realm and can also be found rummaging through neighbourhood bins on rubbish collection days.
It is crucial to exercise caution when disposing of items in your bins. Surprisingly, even seemingly insignificant items can serve as enablers of identity theft. For instance, discarded pre-approved credit card offers or what you may perceive as “junk mail” could contain sensitive information. Additionally, voided checks, old bank statements, and insurance paperwork found in your trash can provide thieves with the necessary details to commit fraud or impersonate you.
To protect yourself, a shredder can become your trusted ally. Prior to discarding any documents containing personal information, make sure to shred them. This simple extra step has the potential to safeguard you from a potentially expensive incident.
Children’s IoT Devices
Electronic bears, smart kid watches, and Wi-Fi-connected Barbies are among the toys that attract the attention of hackers. For instance, Mattel’s Hello Barbie was discovered to have vulnerabilities that allowed for the theft of personal information, while its microphone could potentially be exploited for unauthorized surveillance.
These futuristic toys may be highly desired by children, and although parents may find them cool, they often overlook their data security implications. Paradoxically, being children’s toys can make them more susceptible to hacking attempts. Cybercriminals specifically target these Internet of Things (IoT) toys, knowing they tend to have weaker security measures.
It is crucial to exercise caution when introducing any new internet-connected devices, including toys, into your home. Stay vigilant by regularly installing firmware updates, and conduct thorough research to determine if any past data breaches have affected the toy in question.
Schedule a Home IT Security Audit & Sleep Better at Night
Rest easy and put your worries about identity theft to rest. Contact us today to arrange a comprehensive home IT security audit. Taking this proactive step will bring you peace of mind, and you’ll be grateful that you did.