Digital data
(also electronic data)
Digital data definition
Digital data is all user data that a computer or other technological devices understand. The binary system represents this data with 0s and 1s, and it encodes text, video, or audio information. Users can store and transmit digital data using various digital storage and communication technologies, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, USB drives, the internet, and wireless networks. Digital data offers many advantages over analog data, enabling users to easily copy, edit, or transmit it over long distances without losing quality. However, the real-life events that the binary system transforms into digital data are of interest to cybercriminals. As a result, they use different methods to access that data and cause data leaks or even more severe system damage.
See also: smishing, code injection
Digital data hacking methods
- Phishing. Hackers often send fake emails as clickbait. They can make users provide personal data, such as email address, login credentials, or even bank accounts. Moreover, these emails often seem like a reliable organization sent them.
- Employing malware software. By compromising users’ devices with different malware like keyloggers, viruses, or spyware, hackers can cause data leaks and thefts. Additionally, they can even impersonate themselves and gain unauthorized access.
- Implementing malicious code. The malicious code installs itself on the users’ devices and may ask for different permissions that help attackers reach crucial data, such as email accounts, bank accounts, or messages.
- Smishing. This form of phishing tricks users into giving away sensitive information over SMS messages or phone calls.
Preventing digital data attacks
- Use antivirus software to detect the threat so that you can get rid of it while it’s still early.
- Secure your web browser by utilizing a browser extension like an ad-blocker. It will block ads and the data they might collect.
- Protect your accounts with strong and unique passwords.
- Implement a two-factor authentication method.
- Don’t click on links in emails or messages if you are unsure where they came from.
- Don’t install suspicious software on your device that doesn’t have a good customer rating.