The total number of data breaches has more than tripled in the last 10 years, with 2.6 billion personal records stolen in the last two years, technology company Apple said.
Last year, Apple introduced new encryption tools with Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, which encrypts users’ personal information when backing it up.
ALSO MADE IT HARDER TO READ MESSAGES
But encryption has also been controversial in recent years. The extra security also makes it harder for intelligence agencies and law enforcement to read messages that may contain details of crimes, leading to criticism from some governments.
“Malicious actors continue to spend an enormous amount of time and resources finding more creative and effective ways to steal consumer data, and we will not let up in our efforts to stop them,” the Independent quoted Apple’s head of software Craig Federighi as saying.
RANSOMWARE ATTACKS
Apple’s report, “The Continued Threat to Personal Data: Key Factors Behind the 2023 Increase” says much of the increase is due to ransomware gangs and coordinated campaigns increasingly targeting users’ data. In ransomware attacks, hackers steal personal data or access to devices and force victims to pay to get it back.
The report reveals that there were almost 70 percent more attacks in the first nine months of this year than in all of last year.
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