In today’s digital age, the threat of data breaches is a constant concern. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated in their techniques, targeting individuals and businesses alike. The consequences of a cyberattack can be devastating, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and even legal issues. Therefore, it is crucial to understand what hackers are planning to do with your data and take proactive measures to protect it. In this article, we will explore the motivations of the hackers, which threat actors target which data, how to protect yourself or your organization against these threat actors, and most importantly what these threat actors do with your data.

Understanding the Motivations of Hackers

Hackers have various motivations for targeting individuals and organizations. While some hackers are driven by financial gain, others may seek recognition, political motives, or simply the thrill of the challenge. By understanding their motivations, we can better comprehend the risks and develop effective strategies to protect ourselves.

Financial Gain

One of the primary motivations for hackers is financial gain. Cybercriminals can profit by stealing sensitive information and selling it on the dark web to other criminals. There are some other ways to make money from data described further in the article. The main point is money is a big motivation to steal data.

Espionage and Political Motives

In some cases, hackers may target organizations or governments for espionage or political reasons. State-sponsored hacking is a growing concern, with governments using cyberattacks to gather intelligence, disrupt infrastructure, or compromise national security. Hackers may also target organizations with valuable intellectual property or trade secrets, aiming to gain a competitive advantage or disrupt their operations.

Hacktivism and Ideological Motives

Hacktivism refers to hacking activities undertaken for ideological or political reasons. Hacktivists often target organizations or individuals they perceive as unethical or oppressive. Their goal is to expose wrongdoing, raise awareness, or advocate for a particular cause. They could leak classified information to damage the reputation of target organizations or just prove their point to the public.

Thrill and Challenge

For some hackers, the thrill and challenge of breaking into secure systems are the primary motivations. These hackers may not have specific malicious intent but engage in hacking for personal satisfaction or to prove their technical skills. 

Which threat actors would like to obtain which data?

Let’s have a look at the types of threat actors and what type of data they would like to obtain. For a detailed threat actor description do not forget to check out our blog article about selecting between black-box, white-box, and grey-box penetration tests and also you would know which pentest you need against a specific threat actor.

Financially Motivated Threat Actors

Financially motivated threat actors are the most populated kind of threat actors. They would come for all kinds of data since data like credit card numbers equal directly to money, government or corporate secrets can be sold, and they can encrypt all kinds of critical data for ransom.

Nation-state Threat Actors

Nation-state threat actors would love to obtain government secrets and critical infrastructure data. They wouldn’t say no to corporate intellectual property since it can be used for further attacks.

Hacktivists and Thrill Seekers

Hacktivists and thrill seekers are very similar to nation-state threat actors since their targets are mainly governments or corporations that have close relationships with governments. 

Insider Threat Actors

Insider threat actors are a little bit like a general cluster. A threat actor could be an insider and also financially motivated or could be an insider and hacktivist at the same time. Also, they could be nation-state threat actors but it is a very unlikely scenario and probably would lead to a spy movie.

Here is a table to match between threat actors and the data type they would like to obtain:

How Hackers Gain Access To Your Information

Hackers employ various methods and techniques to gain unauthorized access to systems and networks. Understanding these methods is essential for implementing effective cybersecurity measures. Let’s explore some common techniques used by hackers.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks are one of the most common and successful methods used by hackers. In a phishing attack, hackers impersonate legitimate organizations or individuals to trick employees into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details. These attacks often occur through tricky emails, text messages, or phone calls, enticing or fearing unsuspecting victims into providing their information.

Malware and Ransomware

Malware, short for malicious software, is a broad term that encompasses various types of software designed to harm or gain unauthorized access to systems. Hackers use malware to infect computers and networks, enabling them to steal data, spy on users, or gain control over systems. Ransomware on the other hand encrypts victims’ data and demands a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. 

Brute Force Attacks

Brute force attacks involve systematically trying all possible combinations of passwords until the correct one is found. Hackers use automated tools to rapidly attempt multiple password combinations, exploiting weak or easily guessable passwords. This method can be time-consuming but can be successful if the targeted system has no security measurement against such an attack and has weak password policies or uses common passwords.

Main Course

Finally, here we are to answer the question of what hackers do with your stolen data. This part varies mainly between which type of data hackers obtained. As we mentioned in the previous part, there are six major data types; credit card and payment information, credentials of accounts, government secrets, personally identifiable information (PII), corporate intellectual Property (IP), and critical infrastructure data.

Probably the simplest one is the first one, credit card or payment data. In a scenario where your working credit card information is leaked or stolen by hackers, they are likely to use it themselves and buy something with it. In the other hand, there are some clever hackers that generally use it to laundry your money with various techniques and turn your balance into direct cash. Hold your seats because there is one more intelligence level for hackers that steal your credit card information, they sell it online. Yes, even though this last method is the least profitable, it is the most secure one. Since money is not much valuable in jail this method is only used by elite financially motivated threat actors.

The second scenario is about account credentials. This kind of data breach could lead to two main scenarios. The first one is selling it on the dark web. The second one is using it to obtain more information about your internal organization or yourself in a personal hack situation. But both first scenario is likely to be lead second one since the buyer of the credential is going to use it for some other cyber attack. Even though it is not possible to calculate the exact consequences, it is likely to be devastating. There are a high number of big corporations suffering from leaked account credentials leading to deeper breaches.

When hackers gain access to your personally identifiable information(PII) or easier to say  personal information, the consequences can extend far beyond the initial breach. Once in possession of your data, cybercriminals can exploit it for various purposes. One common objective is identity theft, where hackers assume your identity to commit fraudulent activities like opening credit accounts or making unauthorized purchases. This can leave victims with damaged credit scores and considerable financial losses or more likely to lead the first scenario which we mentioned above. Moreover, stolen personal information often finds its way to the black market, where it is sold to other criminals seeking to exploit it further. This underground economy thrives on illegally obtained data, enabling criminals to engage in additional illicit activities such as impersonation or even blackmail. Furthermore, hackers may deploy sophisticated phishing techniques using your stolen information to deceive you or others into revealing more sensitive details or login credentials. 

Corporate intellectual property(IP) is something like mixed personal information and government secrets. Threat actors generally sell corporate intellectual for money but of course, there are scenarios similar to personal information data.

Finally, government secrets and critical infrastructure data breach. This part is a combined because both of them have similar usage areas. Just like account credentials, there are two paths, but the second path eventually leads to the first for these two. The first path is to disrupt the operations of the target government or critical infrastructure. The second one is using the leaked data in other combined attacks and gain more information. But eventually second one only leads to the first one. Of course, some financially motivated threat actors could sell the leaked data but it would be a 3rd degree recursive path to disrupting the operations.

Protecting Your Data from Hackers

Now that we understand which type of data is targeted by which threat actor,  motivations and methods of hackers, it’s crucial to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect our data. Here are some essential steps you can take to safeguard your information:

Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Using strong and unique passwords for all your accounts is a fundamental cybersecurity practice. As we mentioned, ‘Account Credentials’ are target data type for all threat actors. 

Avoid using easily guessable passwords such as your name, birthdate, or “password123.” Instead, create complex passwords that include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Additionally, consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your passwords.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. With 2FA enabled, you will need to provide additional verification, such as a unique code sent to your mobile device or email, along with your password to access your account. This adds an extra security barrier against hackers, even if they manage to obtain your password.

Keep Software and Systems Updated

Regularly updating your software and systems is critical for maintaining security. Software updates often include patches and fixes for known vulnerabilities, making it harder for hackers to exploit them. 

Educate Yourself and Your Employees

Stay informed about the latest threats and cybersecurity best practices. Educate yourself and your employees about phishing techniques, social engineering, and the importance of maintaining strong security measures. Regularly conduct cybersecurity training sessions to reinforce good security habits.

Implement Firewalls and Antivirus Software

Firewalls act as a barrier between your internal network and the external internet, monitoring and blocking unauthorized access. Antivirus software scans your system for malware and other malicious programs, removing or quarantining them to prevent further damage.

Regularly Backup Your Data

Regularly backing up your data is crucial in case of a cyberattack or data loss. Implement a robust backup strategy that includes both onsite and offsite backups. Test your backups regularly to ensure they are working correctly and can be restored if needed.

Encrypt Sensitive Data

Encrypting sensitive data adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring that even if hackers manage to access the data, they cannot read or use it without the encryption key. Use encryption tools or built-in encryption features in software to encrypt sensitive files and communications.

Monitor and Detect Anomalies

Implement monitoring systems and intrusion detection tools to identify any unusual activity or potential security breaches. Regularly review logs and alerts to detect any suspicious behavior or unauthorized access attempts. Promptly investigate and respond to any anomalies to minimize the impact of a potential cyberattack.

Perform Regular Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, involves simulating real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and networks. Hire a professional penetration testing service provider like us to assess your security measures, identify weaknesses, and provide recommendations for improvement.

Conclusion

Protecting your data from hackers is an ongoing process that requires sleeplessness, education, and proactive measures. By understanding the data types, which threat actor would like to obtain which data, motivations, and methods of hackers, implementing robust cybersecurity practices, and staying informed about the latest threats, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack.