Here's a guide on what type of data is frequently exposed, how is it leaked, and how to protect it

In today’s digital age, where everything is online, it is very difficult to keep our data protected and safe from being exposed, as the breaches have progressed from minor cyber security issues to causing financial loss for netizens.

Despite a greater emphasis being placed on data security, hackers are continually finding new ways to circumvent walls to gain access to valuable corporate data and credentials, Bitdefender, a software company stated.

So what type of data is most frequently exposed?

Financial Information: Bank details, card details.

Personal information: address, phone numbers, email and password combinations, biometrics, medical records and Identity numbers.

Which online activity exposes what type of data?

Online shopping exposes: Personal information including home address and phone number, online purchase history, credit card details and IP address.

Dating apps reveal: Personal information, private chats, photos, interests

Browsers track your: Browsing history, shopping history, passwords, online interests

Social media reveals your: Photos including the deleted ones, chats, personal information

So how can we check if our data is being exposed?

There are several data leak checkers online that let you see if your data has been compromised, for example, data leak checkers by Cybernews or Bitefinder digital identity protection.

These websites let you monitor your activity and map your digital footprint, which lets you know when and where your data was leaked.

In addition, it also informs you if someone is impersonating you on social media.

Other ways include:

Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity. Look for unauthorised transactions or new accounts opened in your name.

Change your passwords regularly and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to add an extra layer of security.

Be cautious of phishing attempts and unsolicited communication asking for personal information. Scammers may try to exploit leaked data for fraudulent purposes.

Use a search engine: You can use a search engine like Google to search for your name, email address or other personal information. If any of your personal information appears in search results, it may have been leaked online.