{"id":28689,"date":"2022-07-14T12:17:15","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T12:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/?p=28689"},"modified":"2025-04-29T14:09:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T14:09:53","slug":"8-most-common-causes-of-a-data-breach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/8-most-common-causes-of-a-data-breach\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Most Common Causes of a Data Breach"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data breaches are a rising global threat. According to<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibm.com\/reports\/data-breach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IBM and the Ponemon Institute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/what-is-a-data-breach\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">data breaches<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reached a record high in the last two years. Over 2,200 cyberattacks happen daily, costing large companies $4,24 million with each attack. The most frustrating part of these recurring events is that the <\/span><b>causes of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remain pretty much the same for private persons and companies alike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mitigation of data breaches strictly depends on how high you regard the data managed by your company. Don\u2019t underestimate the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/why-is-data-loss-prevention-dlp-important\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">importance of data loss prevention<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-it\u2019s key given the ongoing proliferation of cybercrime. Learning about the most common causes of data leaks is useless unless you take action to prevent these events. In the following lines, we discuss eight common <\/span><b>causes of security breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and how to solve these issues with effective measures.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Weak Passwords<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>What is the number one cause of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? You&#8217;ll likely find that weak passwords are the top reason. According to the Harris Poll, 75% of Americans are duly frustrated with maintaining secure passwords. Out of that number, over 24% use common passwords such as sequential numbers, a single word, or a combination of three letters and three numbers. 49% of password users only change a single character or digit on their password when they&#8217;re prompted to update them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping a strong password isn\u2019t that difficult. Many cybersecurity experts agree that combining a single sentence with different cases and numbers is more than enough. A single word won&#8217;t do the trick since you usually choose something inherent to your character. Hackers with experience in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/social-engineering-a-complete-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">social engineering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can pick up on that to figure out your digital keys. If keeping track of your passwords is a chore, we suggest you invest in a reliable password manager service to make life easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Criminal Hacking<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Criminal hacking\u2014it\u2019s <\/span><b>what causes the majority of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These are planned attacks by cybercriminals always looking to exploit computer systems or networks. Some common techniques include <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/12-types-of-phishing-attacks-and-how-to-identify-them\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">phishing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/what-is-a-password-attack-in-cyber-security\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">password attacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/what-is-an-sql-injection-sqli-and-how-to-prevent-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SQL injections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/what-is-malware-and-how-can-you-prevent-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">malware infection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and DNS spoofing. Cyber actors know their way around these methods, and they know how to identify entry points or weaknesses in the network infrastructure of large organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Criminal hacking happens because many companies fail to set up adequate security measures. One of the best <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/11-ways-to-prevent-data-loss-and-data-breaches-in-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ways to prevent data loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is by implementing a proper set of protective measures. With a solid DLP strategy, you can avoid cyberattacks and keep your data safe. Monitoring tools also identify anomalies, so you\u2019ll know when a cyberattack occurs. A company without defenses can be targeted and never notice the data leak until it&#8217;s too late.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>App Vulnerabilities and Backdoors<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to apps, <\/span><b>the most common cause of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is usually an unpatched vulnerability. Applications aren\u2019t built on perfect frameworks; they are pieces of software with vulnerabilities. A faulty app can be a backdoor to steal data such as your name, email, or even bank details. Initially, these cracks go unnoticed by software providers and regular users, while cybercriminals find them to initiate a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/what-is-a-zero-day-exploit-and-how-to-prevent-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">zero-day attack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most companies are constantly testing their software to fend off any potential attacks to address these exploits. When a company finds a vulnerability, they release a patch to fix any security issues. That&#8217;s why many apps on your phone or laptop frequently request updates. You must accept these data patches promptly to increase your security and keep your devices and apps running smoothly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Social Engineering<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social engineering is the <\/span><b>number one cause of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for companies and organizations worldwide. Most cybercriminals are good at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/social-engineering-a-complete-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">social engineering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> since it&#8217;s much easier than creating access points to exploit a system. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/14-types-of-social-engineering-attacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social engineering attacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rely on psychological manipulation to trick users into giving up their credentials. These attacks are carried out using emails, SMS messages, social networks, and even calls.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/how-to-spot-the-top-5-social-engineering-attacks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prevent social engineering attacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to pay close attention to all requests made in any suspicious emails, calls, or messages. No company asks for login information or personal data, especially not banks or payment platforms. Look at small details such as grammar and syntax. If you&#8217;re being called, take note of the requested details but never divulge sensitive info over the phone. Most social engineering scams are run outside of the USA by people pretending to be representative of a company you deal with consistently.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Phishing, Malware, and Ransomware<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When identifying <\/span><b>what the most common cause of data breach is<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it always boils down to any of these three. Phishing is a social engineering attack where cybercriminals manipulate their victims into giving up their personal information. Phishing scams are conducted mainly by email, often appealing to your sense of urgency or desire to win or receive mega prizes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, we have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/top-5-notorious-malware-attacks-of-all-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">malware attacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 where cybercriminals use malicious software to breach a system or network. Cyber actors usually disguise malware as executable files or links you have to interact with to inject malicious code into your systems. Ransomware works similarly. The only difference is that this program is designed to lock you out of your data or system and hold it until you pay to get access back.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to prevent these attacks is with a very judgmental eye. You should always look at the sender&#8217;s address of any email, especially if it urges you to take action. Don&#8217;t click on links or open files sent by unknown senders, and stay away from untrusted websites. Examine such links, URLs, and files carefully, and keep your antivirus updated. Antiviruses can pick up most malware threats and delete them from your systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Improper Permission Management<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many people have access to your company&#8217;s data flow? Many IT departments are happy to offer a key log to anyone needing access to the company&#8217;s network at any time. You can&#8217;t afford to give these permissions out so easily. When identifying <\/span><b>what causes security breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you&#8217;re likely to find out how too many permissions put you in danger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there&#8217;s a need for ongoing access to all team members, keep an access registry. Make sure it shows who accesses your systems, where they go, and what they take. You can eventually manage just how many people need restricted or limited access. Access protocols are part of any solid DLP strategy and an excellent way to keep your data safe.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>User Error and Insider Threats<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you ask someone in the IT department,<\/span><b> what causes the majority of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they&#8217;ll tell you it&#8217;s people. The worst part of this answer is they&#8217;re right. Humans are the weakest link of any security measure to protect your company&#8217;s digital assets. A weak password, improper data extraction, and lack of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/10-best-practices-for-business-email-security-for-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">email security best practices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cause a data breach worth thousands of dollars.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, we have insider threats. Disgruntled employees can cause more damage to a company than black hat hackers. If you&#8217;re getting the wrong vibes from someone working for you, it&#8217;s best to restrict their access before things get ugly. An insider threat can easily lead to loss of intellectual property data exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Physical Threats<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you sure your premises are safe and secure? One of the <\/span><b>causes of security breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is physical attacks. Not all hackers are sitting in a dirty basement spying on you. Many of them take proactive action to access your system. Cyber actors are often very knowledgeable about human psychology. Nothing prevents them from using their online charm in the real world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cybercriminals can easily disguise themselves as delivery persons or even company employees to access your computers or servers. Once they&#8217;re there, they only need seconds to plant their malicious code via a USB flash. Even if it sounds complex, these criminals aren\u2019t above the challenge. You can solve this issue by implementing a strict access policy to your building, such as using badges, especially for sensitive areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Final Thoughts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing the <\/span><b>causes of data breaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and how to mitigate them is paramount to cybersecurity. Determine <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what data loss prevention is<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to your company and set up protocols to protect your data.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowledge is the best defense against data leaks. You and your team need to understand the machinations of these events.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Train your team to have stronger passwords. Teach them about the dangers of criminal hacking. Ensure they know the importance of updating their systems with the latest security patches. It\u2019s also crucial to train them to understand social engineering risks and how malware, phishing, and ransomware can affect the company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep a watchful eye on improper permissions and insider threats too. Your data is the most valuable asset of your company, and you need to do everything to keep it safe.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data breaches are a rising global threat. According &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[204,199,307],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-cybersecurity","category-data-loss-prevention"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>8 Most Common Causes of a Data Breach | EasyDMARC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you wondered what the most common causes of data breaches are? 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