Types of Cybersecurity Risks and Threats to Personal Data

Files and information stored in the cloud without adequate protection - such as encryption, strong passwords, or properly set access rights - are a serious security risk because they can be exposed to unauthorised access, theft, or data leakage. For example, documents on services such as Google Drive or Dropbox that are shared with "anyone with a link" and without additional protection can become easily accessible and misused.

Data in the cloud can be unintentionally shared in several ways, most often due to incorrect settings or user carelessness:

1. unrestricted links – when the file or folder is shared via a public link ("anyone with a link can access"), the content may reach unauthorised persons;

2. incorrect access rights – granting editing rights instead of just viewing can allow others to change or download data;

3. sharing with the wrong people – by entering the wrong email addresses or sharing with a large group without checking who the recipients are;

4. inconsistent device sync – automatically syncing files with personal or public devices can lead to other users unintentionally accessing that data;

5. lack of password or two-factor authentication – leaving accounts unprotected allows attackers to access user data if they get their hands on it.

The examples provided show that it is important to regularly review sharing settings, use strong passwords, and control who has access to which data.