“How secure is my data in a cloud?” More and more users are currently asking themselves this question. Especially after it became known that masses of photos of celebrities from iCloud accounts were published.
How secure is a cloud service and how do hackers gain access?
(Screenshot: FAZ.net )
This is a cloud
With a cloud service, files, and sometimes even software, are not stored on the home PC, but on the servers of the relevant service providers.
The advantage is that you can access your data from anywhere without having to sit at your home PC. You can even store entire backups in a cloud so that the data is not lost in the event of irreparable system crashes.
Common cloud services include iCloud, Dropbox , GoogleDrive or TelekomCloud .
Phishing attack vulnerability
Unfortunately, the biggest security gap in a cloud is in front of the PC: careless users who have email and password combinations that are too simple.
In most cases, fraudsters simply need a correct email address and the password is found out using a brute force method.
However, you make it even easier for the attackers if you provide them with all the data directly, and do so voluntarily.
For example, this is what a phishing email looks like, which leads to a form that elicits data from the user.
The user is led to believe that third-party access has occurred and is asked to reactivate the account with their personal data. If you follow the link, you will reach a cleanly structured input form:
If you're not careful, you'll throw all your data down the fraudsters' throats.
The form here goes straight into the full form and, in addition to the cloud access data, also directly requests address and credit card data.
Small detailed note: The form even recognizes incorrect entries that relate to the structure of credit card numbers.
Cloud and sensitive data
Does it make sense to store sensitive data in cloud services?
You just have to ask yourself the question: WHY do you save your own nude photos in cloud services? Since a cloud is essentially a very helpful service, you cannot generally advise against using it. However, you should definitely consider which personal and intimate data you want to store “away from home”.
Author: Andre, mimikama.org
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )