How Do Hackers Get Your Information?

Hackers usually get your information in one of two ways: they persuade someone to reveal it, or they exploit a weakness in an account, device, application, network or service provider. Common routes include phishing, reused passwords, information-stealing malware, fake websites, oversharing, unsafe network use and unpatched software.

The scale of phishing in Japan shows how persistent these attempts have become. The Council of Anti-Phishing Japan received a record 2,454,297 phishing reports in 2025, about 1.43 times the 2024 total.

Understanding how attackers collect and use information to gain access to accounts can help individuals and businesses reduce the chance that one mistake becomes a larger breach.

Oversharing on Social Media

Social media does not normally give an attacker direct access to an account. It can, however, provide the details needed to make another attack more convincing.

Public posts and profiles on social media accounts may reveal your employer, job title, coworkers, email address, birthday, family members, travel plans, pet names, phone numbers, and other personal details attackers can collect. An attacker can use those details to trick users, steal personal information, or support further attacks on online accounts.

This is one reason modern authentication guidance has moved away from knowledge-based questions. The latest NIST guidance says service providers should not use questions such as “What was the name of your first pet?” because answers may be predictable or publicly discoverable.

Review who can see your posts, remove unnecessary contact and birth-date details, and avoid using public facts in passwords or account-recovery answers. Businesses should also consider what employee profiles, project announcements and travel posts reveal about reporting lines, suppliers and internal systems.

Launching Phishing Attacks

Phishing scams are one of the most direct ways attackers obtain payment details, login credentials and other sensitive information. A criminal may impersonate a bank, delivery company, government agency, online retailer, executive or IT support team through:

• Email
• SMS or other messaging apps
• Social media direct messages
• Phone calls or voice messages that pressure victims to visit fake websites
• QR codes
• Fake login notifications or calendar invitations

The message usually induces a sense of urgency, fear or curiosity, and this kind of social engineering exploits trust and authority to deceive victims. It may claim that an account has been locked, a payment failed, a parcel could not be delivered, or a security check must be completed.

Opening a message alone does not usually expose all the data on a device. The greater risk comes when someone follows suspicious links, enters information on a fake login page, opens a harmful attachment or starts downloading files that turn out to be malware. This can lead to account password theft and account takeover, granting access to a cloud account, approving an unexpected sign-in request, or giving a hacker remote control of a device.

Phishing activity remains high in Japan. The Council of Anti-Phishing Japan received a record 2,454,297 phishing reports in 2025, approximately 43% more than in 2024. Its latest monthly report recorded 82,338 reports in August 2026, a 24.5% increase from July. These figures represent submitted reports, rather than unique attacks, confirmed victims or financial losses.

Many phishing attacks depend on directing people to fraudulent login pages or downloads. To reduce this risk, Japan’s 2026 consumer phishing guidance recommends accessing important services through a saved bookmark or the provider’s official app, rather than following links in unexpected emails or messages.

Buying Data From the Dark Web

Information stolen in one incident may be used in another. After a breach or malware infection, criminals may trade email addresses, passwords, browser cookies, payment-card details and other personal data through underground markets, forums or private channels. The “dark web” is only one part of that ecosystem.

Attackers can use stolen username-password combinations in credential-stuffing attacks, which automatically test the same login details across multiple services. When people reuse the same password across multiple services, attackers can use credentials exposed in one data breach to access email, shopping, social media, or business accounts on other platforms.

Information-stealing malware can make this problem worse by collecting saved passwords, session cookies and other data from an infected device. A stolen session cookie can sometimes allow an attacker to access an account without entering the password again.

The Council of Anti-Phishing Japan’s 2026 report describes ongoing monitoring of credential leaks and sales connected with Japanese organizations on underground markets and forums. It also notes that stolen card and login information continues to be traded in criminal communities.

Using Public Wi-Fi Networks and Unsecured Websites

Public Wi-Fi presents genuine security risks, but those risks should not be overstated.

When a legitimate website or app uses properly configured HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), the information sent between your device and that service is encrypted. Someone on the same Wi-Fi network cannot simply read every password or card number in that encrypted traffic.

Nevertheless, use of public networks still introduces risks. An attacker may set up a fake hotspot with a name similar to the venue’s network, and open ports on the network can provide gateways for hackers. They may also present a fraudulent login portal, target unencrypted traffic, exploit an outdated device or use security vulnerabilities to access files and services that have been left open to local network users.

When using public Wi-Fi:

• Confirm the network name and login process with the venue.
• Turn off automatic connection and local file sharing.
• Use a mobile hotspot or an organization-approved Virtual Private Network (VPN) for sensitive business activity.
• Avoid entering important information if the browser warns that the connection is not private.
• Keep the device, browser and security tools updated.

HTTPS is necessary for sensitive transactions, but it does not prove that a website is honest. Google’s Chrome Security team has explained that the former lock icon represented an encrypted connection, not website trustworthiness, and that nearly all phishing sites also use HTTPS. Attackers may still use unsecured pages or convincing pages to steal credit card details and other sensitive data, so check the full domain name and use a trusted bookmark or official app.

Exploiting Outdated Software and Network Vulnerabilities

Attackers scan the internet for exposed systems with known vulnerabilities. Targets can include operating systems, browsers, content management systems, VPN appliances, firewalls, routers, remote-access tools and business applications. Misconfigured cloud storage, excessive permissions and default passwords can also expose information without a sophisticated exploit.

In Japan, IPA ranked attacks that exploit system vulnerabilities fourth among its 10 major organizational security threats for 2026. Supply-chain and contractor attacks ranked second, showing that information can also be exposed through a vendor or service provider.

Japan’s Personal Information Protection Commission reported similar weaknesses in its fiscal 2024 oversight work. Among unauthorized-access-related leak cases, common control failures included leaving known VPN or application vulnerabilities unpatched, using easily guessed IDs and passwords, and misconfiguring database access controls.

Organizations should maintain an accurate asset inventory, monitor vendor security notices, prioritize patches for internet-facing and actively exploited systems, and replace products that no longer receive security updates. Supplier access and cloud configurations also need regular review.

Creating Fake Websites

Attackers can copy the design, logo and wording of a legitimate website and publish the clone under a lookalike domain. These fake pages often mimic legitimate financial institutions, and some can even rank highly in search results for common queries. They may promote it through phishing messages, QR codes, online advertisements, search results, social media or fake technical-support warnings.

Some fraudulent domains contain a misspelling or substituted character. Others place a familiar brand name in a subdomain or elsewhere in a long URL to distract from the domain that actually controls the page. The Council of Anti-Phishing Japan reported that 229 brands were impersonated in Japanese phishing reports during 2025.

Before entering a password, payment details, login credentials or a verification code tied to bank accounts or credit card details:

• Read the domain carefully. In a standard web address, it appears after https:// and before the next /.
• Do not assume a familiar logo, professional design or HTTPS connection makes the page legitimate.
• Open the service through its official app, a saved bookmark, or a web address independently confirmed from a trusted source.
• Do not call a phone number shown in an unexpected pop-up. Use the provider’s published support information.

How to Protect Your Valuable Information

No single product can stop every method attackers use. The most effective approach combines safer account practices, updated technology, limited access and a clear response plan.

For individuals and employees:

• Use a unique password for every account. A password manager can generate and store long, random, strong passwords that help resist brute-force attacks and reduce the damage when hackers steal one password in a breach.
• Enable stronger authentication. Use passkeys or phishing-resistant security keys where available. Otherwise, enable the strongest multifactor authentication option the service provides. A code or approval prompt still adds protection, but never approve a request you did not initiate.
• Change passwords for a reason, not only on a calendar. NIST advises against mandatory periodic password changes when there is no evidence of compromise. Change an affected password immediately after a suspected leak, phishing incident or unauthorized login and change it anywhere else it was reused.
• Use official routes to reach important accounts. Open a saved bookmark or official app rather than a link in an unexpected message.
• Install security updates promptly. Enable automatic updates where practical and stop using unsupported operating systems, applications and network devices.
• Monitor account activity. Turn on login and transaction alerts, review recent sessions and check bank accounts, card, credit accounts and online-service histories for activity you do not recognize.
• Limit unnecessary public information. Review social-media privacy settings and avoid publishing details that could strengthen an impersonation attempt.

For businesses:

• Protect identity systems. Require multifactor authentication, remove unused accounts, restrict administrator privileges and review access when employees or contractors change roles.
• Patch and harden exposed systems.Track hardware, software and cloud assets; address critical vulnerabilities quickly; and remove default credentials and unnecessary services.
• Strengthen email and web defenses.Use filtering and domain-authentication controls such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC. Give employees a simple way to report suspicious messages and verify unusual payment or data requests through a separate channel.
• Protect endpoints and data.Use managed endpoint security, encryption, least-privilege access and logging that can support detection and investigation.
• Back up important data. Keep protected copies separated from normal user access and test restoration. Backups do not prevent information theft, but they can reduce disruption when ransomware also encrypts systems.
• Assess suppliers and cloud services. Define security responsibilities, limit third-party access and review configurations, logs and incident-notification requirements. IPA’s 2026 SME guidance emphasizes basic controls, backups and supply-chain security.
• Practice incident response. Decide in advance who will isolate systems, preserve evidence, contact affected parties, assess reporting duties and restore operations.

If you believe an account or device has been compromised, act quickly:

1. Contact your organization’s IT or security team and disconnect a suspected work device from the network. Do not wipe it before the response team has considered evidence-preservation needs.
2. From a known-clean device, change affected and reused passwords, sign out of other sessions, revoke unknown app access and enable stronger authentication. If personal data such as Social Security Numbers was exposed, watch for attempts to open credit accounts or file fraudulent tax returns.
3. Contact the relevant bank, card issuer or service provider if financial or account information may have been exposed, check for unauthorized purchases or fraudulent payments and ask what steps can prevent account takeover or help attackers access bank accounts.
4. Preserve messages, URLs, timestamps and screenshots. In Japan, cyber incidents can be reported or discussed through the National Police Agency’s cyber incident portal, while suspected phishing messages and sites can be submitted to the Council of Anti-Phishing Japan.
5. For organizations handling personal data in Japan, assess the incident promptly within the context of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information. The Personal Information Protection Commission requires reporting and notification for specified leaks that may harm individuals’ rights and interests.

Protect Your Business Before Threats Become Breaches

Understanding how attackers strike is only the beginning. True defense requires seamless security controls across your workforce, devices, networks, applications, and supply chain.

EIRE Systems delivers enterprise-grade IT security and support services across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. From ethical hacking and policy hardening to continuous endpoint protection, we help financial institutions and enterprises eliminate vulnerabilities before malicious actors find them.

Take control of your security. Contact our team today to map out your practical defense priorities.

Sources

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• Council of Anti-Phishing Japan. (2026a, June 1). Phishing report 2026.https://www.antiphishing.jp/report/report/phishing_report2026.html
• Council of Anti-Phishing Japan. (2026b, July 16). Phishing report status: June 2026.https://www.antiphishing.jp/report/monthly/202606.html
• Council of Anti-Phishing Japan. (2026c, September 18). Phishing report status: August 2026. https://www.antiphishing.jp/report/monthly/202608.html
• Council of Anti-Phishing Japan. (2026d, June 1). User guidelines for phishing fraud prevention: 2026 edition.https://www.antiphishing.jp/report/guideline/consumer_guideline2026.html
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• Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan. (2025, August 28). Unauthorized login incidents involving internet services are increasing.https://www.ipa.go.jp/security/anshin/attention/2025/mgdayori20250828.html
• Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan. (2026a, January 29). Information security: 10 major threats 2026.https://www.ipa.go.jp/security/10threats/10threats2026.html
• Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan. (2026b, March 27). Information security guidelines for small and medium-sized enterprises (Version 4.0).https://www.ipa.go.jp/security/guide/sme/about.html
• National Police Agency, Japan. (n.d.). Cyber incident reporting and consultation desk.https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/cyber/soudan.html
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• Temoshok, D., Fenton, J., Choong, Y.-Y., Lefkovitz, N., Regenscheid, A., Galluzzo, R., & Richer, J. (2025). Digital identity guidelines: Authentication and authenticator management (NIST Special Publication 800-63B-4). National Institute of Standards and Technology.https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-63B-4