A identity theft at cyber security is a form of cybercrime in which a person's or entity's digital identity is used to commit fraudulent acts.
How it works
The principle of identity theft is based on the exploitation of trust between human beings and/or computer systems. The cybercriminals use a variety of techniques to pose as a trusted entity in order to manipulate their targets and obtain sensitive or personal information.
👉 Common types of identity theft
– Identity theft by e-mail (phishing) Creating e-mails that appear to come from a reliable source to encourage victims to take action.
– URL spoofing Using fake websites that look like the originals to steal data.
– Typosquatting URL redirection: exploits typing errors in URLs to redirect to malicious sites.
– Spoofing text messages sending fraudulent SMS messages imitating legitimate sources.
– IP identity theft creating false IP addresses to trick devices and intercept data.
– In-depth identity theft (deepfake) AI: use of AI to generate realistic fake images and voices.
💥 Consequences
The consequences of identity theft can be serious and varied:
- Theft or loss of sensitive dataincluding intellectual property.
- Damage to personal or professional reputation.
- Financial loss for individuals or companies.
- Deterioration in relations with customers or business partners.
- Psychological impact on victims.
💉 Protection and remedies
There are a number of measures you can take to protect yourself against identity theft:
- Training and awareness-raising Educate employees and users about the risks and techniques of identity theft.
- Use of a VPN to mask the IP address and encrypt data in transit.
- Good health and safety practice Creating strong passwords, two-factor authenticationBe careful with links and attachments.
- Implementation of verification processes particularly for large transactions.
- Installing antivirus software : to detect and block malware.
- Using a password manager for storing and generating secure passwords.
- Protection of personal information limiting the sharing of sensitive information online.
- Regular checking of credit reports to detect any suspicious activity.
