Data science skills include hacking skills, so does this mean data scientists can also be hackers?

For the past decade, the field of data science has been growing and the demand for data scientists has also subsequently increased. The skills needed for data scientists nowadays are divided into categories that include hacking skills. So there is no doubt that data scientists can also be hackers. In this article, we will go through how data scientists cum hackers can steal millions without your knowledge using data science.

Cybercriminals will go to great lengths to steal your data – but what do they do with your information once they get their hands on it? In most cases, data theft is financially driven. After stealing your information, bad actors can use a variety of shady channels to monetize your data, including taking out loans and making purchases under your name, holding your data to ransom, and selling your data on dark web marketplaces to the highest bidder.

Since the invention of computers, people have always been hacking them. Hacking boosts up whenever information and data are generated. Information security becomes a priority for organizations as hackers can access sensitive data. Once he gains access, he/she can do whatever they want to do with the data. The hacker not only steals the data but also changes the information to provide misleading facts.

Here are some of the most common techniques used by data scientists cum hackers

Malware

Most strains typically focus on login credentials, credit card information, browser auto-fill data, and cryptocurrency wallets. Certain breeds, such as the infamous Vega Stealer, sniff out specific file types such as PDF, Word, Excel, and text files and exfiltrate (transfer the data without authorization) them to a remote command and control server.

Phishing

In a typical phishing scam, attackers pose as a reputable company such as Microsoft, Amazon, or Netflix and claim there's an issue with your account. The message encourages you to click on a link where you can supposedly resolve the issue by confirming your password or entering your credit card information. This data is sent directly to the hackers, who can then gain access to your real account and the information stored within.

Unsecured connections

Attackers can also steal your data by preying on unsecured connections such as public Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi is often unsecured and unencrypted, leaving users vulnerable to a variety of attacks

Along with these, there are many others like weak passwords, etc.

Not only can your smartphone be hacked, but it can also be done very easily without your knowledge. At the end of the day, everything is hackable. Once a hacker successfully steals your data, the first step is to inventory it. They comb through your data for valuable information such as your login credentials, financial information, names, phone numbers, addresses, and social security numbers, and organize it in a database. After the data has been collated, hackers have a variety of ways to monetize it.

Being the victim of data theft can have significant repercussions. In the short term, you'll have to go through the time-consuming process of securing your compromised accounts, reversing fraudulent purchases, and replacing stolen credit cards. Data theft is usually financially driven. There are many ways for cybercriminals to get their hands on your data, including malware, phishing, password cracking, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Once they have obtained your data, they may use it themselves to commit fraud, or they may sell it in bulk on the dark web.

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