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Computers are heavily relied on in modern lives. They are often used to store huge amounts of personal data such as bank details, passwords and data that can be used to identify individuals.

Modern computer systems rely on data being shared across networks. This can leave your personal data vulnerable to attack.

Threats to personal data

Personal data may be:

• lost or damaged during a system crash - especially one affecting the hard disk
• corrupted as a result of faulty disks or power failures
• lost by accidentally deleting or overwriting files
• destroyed by natural disasters, acts of terrorism or war
• lost or corrupted by computer viruses
• hacked into by unauthorised users and deleted or altered
• deleted or altered by employees wishing to make money or take revenge on their employer
• stolen due to theft of components or thrown away components

Unfortunately, when data is shared across networks it is at risk of being accessed by people who have no authority to do so, such as a hacker.