Cybersecurity 101: Staying Safe Against The Rising Tide of Cyberattacks in Canada

Whether you’re a hardworking remote worker, a tech-savvy student, or just a casual web surfer, this blog post is about to become your new best friend. Why, you ask? Well, it’s no secret that our reliance on the digital world is growing every day, and with it, the dangers we face online. And no, we’re not just talking about trolling or those embarrassing photos from your high school days that refuse to disappear.

We’re talking about a less visible but more significant threat: Cyberattacks. They’re becoming more frequent, more sneaky, and let’s be real – they’re a massive pain. Our home and native land have seen a worrying uptick in these virtual villains recently, and it’s high time we knew how to fight back.

The Different Types of Cyberattacks in Canada

Before we wade into the nitty-gritty of specific cyberattack incidents, let’s break down the types of cyberattacks you’ll want to have on your radar as a Canadian. Consider this your quick-start guide to the shady world of online threats:

Phishing 

Think of phishing like an online con artist. These crafty hackers send emails that look like they’re from your bank, your favorite online store, or even your boss. Their goal? To trick you into spilling sensitive info like your login details or credit card number. It’s like digital trick-or-treat, except it’s always a trick, and they’re after your treats.

Ransomware

This one’s like a virtual hostage situation. Ransomware is a nasty type of software that a hacker sneaks onto your computer. Once there, it locks you out of your own files or system until you pay up. And guess what? The ransom isn’t in candy or traceable transactions – it’s usually in untraceable cryptocurrency. It’s like waking up to find out you’ve lost the keys to your digital life, and the only way to get them back is to pay the culprit.

Data Breaches

These are the online equivalent of a bank heist. In a data breach, hackers gain unauthorized access to data. This could be anything from your email and password, to your medical records or bank details. Sometimes, they sell this information on the dark web to the highest bidder. Other times, they use it to commit fraud. Either way, it’s your private info, and these digital thieves have no business seeing it.

Cyberattacks Close to Home: Recent Headlines in Canada

Sure, Canada is doing alright with its cybersecurity game – we’re 13th on the global list – but we’re still seeing more and more security breaches each year. 

And guess what? These cyber-attacks aren’t cheap. They cost companies an average of 5.4 million bucks a pop! So, it’s no surprise that businesses and the government are seriously upping their cybersecurity game. We’ve gotta stay safe, eh?

In the past few years, the frequency of cyberattacks in Canada has jumped up a notch, and it’s not just small fries getting hit. Big-name companies have also fallen victim to these digital thieves. Let’s take a quick tour through some of the most significant recent cyberattacks on Canadian soil:

The LifeLabs Data Breach

Picture the biggest provider of medical lab diagnostic services in Canada – that’s LifeLabs. In 2019, they suffered a blow that sent ripples across the country, as a data breach compromised the personal information of a whopping 15 million Canadians. They even had to shell out some cash to retrieve the data, though it’s not clear if their attempt was successful.

TIO Networks Leak

This Canadian payments platform, owned by PayPal, landed in hot water in December 2017. A sneaky security vulnerability led to about 1.6 million customers’ records being compromised. It’s like a digital safe was left unlocked, and the thieves walked right in.

Nissan Canada Breach

In the same month, Nissan Canada Finance dropped a bombshell – customer details might have been exposed in a data breach. The affected individuals? Customers who financed their vehicles through Nissan Canada Finance and INFINITI Financial Services Canada. Talk about a road bump!

Yves Rocher Leak

In September 2019, the cosmetics brand Yves Rocher had a major blunder. Around 2.5 million Canadian customers’ personal data was left out in the open on an unsecured database, like a book left open for anyone to read.