Why as Nigerians we must keep our information safe rather rely on the government

[Amphenomenon]

The topic title is clear enough, I saw this recently. This will make you think well on how you store your information online and who you share them with including governmental bodies.

Nigeria ranks 13th in Africa for per-capita data breach risk, with one compromised email account for every 1,337 people in the past year. The country also recorded the highest number of breached email accounts in Africa within the same period.

We are among a list we shouldn't be topping simply because our government doesn't gave much considerations on our online security, just like the physical security can be scary especially in some regions. This has often made companies and organization not to give much consideration on how they safe our information online and they are inclusive.

Banks and other businesses, including governmental organization suffer data breach and we the citizens might not even be aware while the victims are not aware also, no messages is sent to inform them. That's why when someone open a bank account there is an high chance of one being contacted by scammer and I have experience this before around year 2020.

Our data are being used without our consent, something these companies may not even try if they were in some other countries. Remember last year or earlier this year when it news broke out about a site where NIN were being sold? Another site was discovered again https://fij.ng/article/another-illegal-website-offers-access-to-nigerians-nin-details-with-just-n150-phone-number/

Be careful of what you save online, the email is not a storage center, you can see the rate at which email are being compromised in Nigeria, don't  give your details if you can, remember all the risks that comes from all these. God help us.

[Youngrebel]

Nigeria banks e dey negligent and dey only want di customers to deposit and they deduct or use the money of the depositor to do business nai be only thing they know. And apart from banks as you said government organizations and institutions are worst than the banks example like schools, after graduation we submit our projects and after some years the projects we have written were disposed in the wastebin or in the public domain and anyone saw am go collect and see your informations and contact you either Facebook or other media platforms through the name.
Today I been dey think of something, "Gmail" na one of the secure platform in the world. People have been using Gmail for years (20+years) yet they are still using it, but I don't think there is any Facebook account that has spent 20+ years in Nigeria.
And do issue, no be we be the custodial of the bank details so we can't secure them but the banks and if dem no fit keep well, na so scammers go dey call us like that but we should be careful of the calls. Bank customers will never call you to ask your bank login details or OTP. But if you make a deposit and you didn't write the account details current them go call you and only ask you the correct account number.

Be careful when dealing with banks online.

[Felicity_Tide]

I might be wrong, but I want to believe that data selling should be one of the best ways for so many companies/organizations to make money in this country. Nobody checkmates the system... No follow up. As long as these organizations pay taxes, they are free to do whatever they like.

And sadly, we live in a country where we have so many internet literate that are not really literate per say. They have zero knowledge as far as personal data and information is concerned. Just like you said, it has become a common thing to receive calls from scammers after visiting a bank. So many of these bank workers are not as professional as they look, because I don't understand how a total stranger would call me after visiting a bank.

The truth is, this discussion is very vital, but from the current happenings in Nigeria and how ugly and undeveloped things has become, people won't still take this very serious, mind you, the majority don't even have an idea of how important their info is.

[sokani]

No be today I don read something like this. Those illegal websites wey dey sell awa data dey plenty and I want believe say e dey likely most of us awa data done fall for the wrong hands. According to this article, about 5 websites were reported to be selling Nigerians data.

Adegoke listed five such websites, which he says, have no legal mandate to collect any personal data for the issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN).

“The following websites: idfinder.com.ng; Verify.Ng/sign in, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, and anyverify.com are data harvesters not authorised by NIMC to access or manage sensitive data,” the official said, and called on Nigerians to “disregard any claims or services these websites offer and should not give their data as they are potentially fraudulent and data provided by the public on such websites are gathered and stored to build the data services they illegally provide.”

I no believe say dem hack NIMC website steal awa data. Wetin I think be say nah somebody for their office dey sell am to data harvesters wey come dey use am do business. Nah last year when the news broke out of dis illegal websites and I don check if I go see if dem arrest anybody or talk how the data leak happen but I no see anything. E just dey painful how awa country dey go and how we no dey hold pipo accountable for their wrongdoings.

[CryptoHeadlineNews]

Being security conscious is very good and important for our personal safety, but knowing the best tips for staying alert at always, is one major factor many Nigerians fails to understand. Because not until now, many many didn't know that with an access to their NIN details, they could have access to their bank and steal funds, of which all these are as a result of poor infrastructure of the banking system, making such possible without an advance security measures. Because the truth of the fact is that our Nigerian banks are not to be trusted, and likewise the government itself. Hence, it is our sole responsibility to always take care of our data.

However, when it comes to people's email accounts been hacked, one common mistake I have noticed to give room to this is when people create an Gmail and then used their phone number as password to the Gmail account, which is very common among people in rural areas, hence, making it possible for anybody who could have access to your phone number and Gmail address to be able to hack it at ease. And the easiest way scammers get this details from users is by creating fake Federal Government Loans, whereby millions of Nigerians will apply will filling in their phone number, name and Gmail address. Hence, the best solution to avoid people having access to your Gmail will be to stop filling unnecessary Government Online Loans or Grants with your details.

[Obim34]

I no believe say dem hack NIMC website steal awa data. Wetin I think be say nah somebody for their office dey sell am to data harvesters wey come dey use am do business. Nah last year when the news broke out of dis illegal websites and I don check if I go see if dem arrest anybody or talk how the data leak happen but I no see anything. E just dey painful how awa country dey go and how we no dey hold pipo accountable for their wrongdoings.

Even if they sold you wouldn't know, how did they prove it was hacked abi dem just come out talk am like that?

I don't know how banks and Identity Management Commissions secure users details, these sector are mostly attacked, any loop bridges users personal informations.

Sometimes, we are the cause why our personal identity are compromised, most persons don't do checks before giving out NIN. It has been some years now, scholarship program that came out was demanding BVN and the bank requested must be from Access Bank, i did not get any positive feedback from those who applied but we can't tell how many persons must have fell victim along the line all for scholarship benefits.

[B-BossMan]

A spade will always remain a spade. We the citizens are also smarter and wiser day by day because even their so-called banks are useless to some citizens. When there's cryptocurrency, to hell with them. What has not been hacked in the government sector today? They keep failing and fooling us.

So the best thing is to keep everything concerning your data secure and be security conscious. Could you imagine the day I opened my bank account, and a number called to confirm if it was me and asked for some information about me? How would a stranger get to know that new customers have opened accounts if not for the staff sharing people's information with scammers? Moreover, we just need to be on alert all the time.

[Agbamoni]

However, when it comes to people's email accounts been hacked, one common mistake I have noticed to give room to this is when people create an Gmail and then used their phone number as password to the Gmail account, which is very common among people in rural areas, hence, making it possible for anybody who could have access to your phone number and Gmail address to be able to hack it at ease. And the easiest way scammers get this details from users is by creating fake Federal Government Loans, whereby millions of Nigerians will apply will filling in their phone number, name and Gmail address. Hence, the best solution to avoid people having access to your Gmail will be to stop filling unnecessary Government Online Loans or Grants with your details.

People are wise now they rarely use their phone number as password. It was in recent times where we get to see many people use the same gmail username or phone number as their password. Now the recent form of hack is where they send malicious link to the email, and if the owner clicks the link he will be redirected to fake gmail website tell them to enter their gmail and password. If they do this they send their login info directly to the hacker. And honestly these hackers know the type of information people will be willing to click.

[Boiboi20]

Nigeria banks e dey negligent and dey only want di customers to deposit and they deduct or use the money of the depositor to do business nai be only thing they know. And apart from banks as you said government organizations and institutions are worst than the banks example like schools, after graduation we submit our projects and after some years the projects we have written were disposed in the wastebin or in the public domain and anyone saw am go collect and see your informations and contact you either Facebook or other media platforms through the name.
Today I been dey think of something, "Gmail" na one of the secure platform in the world. People have been using Gmail for years (20+years) yet they are still using it, but I don't think there is any Facebook account that has spent 20+ years in Nigeria.
And do issue, no be we be the custodial of the bank details so we can't secure them but the banks and if dem no fit keep well, na so scammers go dey call us like that but we should be careful of the calls. Bank customers will never call you to ask your bank login details or OTP. But if you make a deposit and you didn't write the account details current them go call you and only ask you the correct account number.

Be careful when dealing with banks online.

In short Nigeria banks no dey really cares about customers like that all wey dem sabi na make you deposit your money dem fit use am run their business security matter no Dey to their list at all and e no stop for bank government institution sef worse example na school after: graduation all the project we stuffer write just dey end up for dustbin or sometimes even out side where anybody fit carry am see your full name and latter track you down for facebook or other platforms.
But look Gmail people don dey use am for over 20 years and still solid secure for Nigeria I no sure say person fit maintain one facebook account account reach 20 year with wahala.
How ever the fact be say we no be the real custodian of our banking details the banks Dey in charge if dem no protect well na scam calls we go dey receive Stedy that is why everybody gats shine eye remember bank no go ever call you to ask for login details or one time password. The only normal call you fit get na if you make a deposit and miss the correct account number then dem go just ask for the right details nothing more.
So abeg make we all dey careful with banks online.

[Bright0515]

There's a lot going on in Nigeria, security breach has been a major issue. Recently I heard that some people are getting kidnapped through the informations that they are uploading on a site to apply for a particular job. It's also said that people's personal details like Nin are being sold out to people that run scams. In that banking sector it has become very normal, after opening your account you might likely be contacted by scammers to ask for card details, there are people in the bank working with that fraudsters. This means that our informations are no longer safe and the government are not doing anything about it. it's left for you to be careful who you give your informations to

[Amphenomenon]

I no believe say dem hack NIMC website steal awa data. Wetin I think be say nah somebody for their office dey sell am to data harvesters wey come dey use am do business. Nah last year when the news broke out of dis illegal websites and I don check if I go see if dem arrest anybody or talk how the data leak happen but I no see anything. E just dey painful how awa country dey go and how we no dey hold pipo accountable for their wrongdoings.

I think this must be the major reason for the data breaches from banks and governmental bodies, aside the fact that some might be unaware about securities measures.

There are often insiders giving out these data out to thefts, scammers or hackers. Again some of these men opt for cheaper services or host and the likes making it easier for all of these.

[rachael9385]

The topic title is clear enough, I saw this recently. This will make you think well on how you store your information online and who you share them with including governmental bodies.

Nigeria ranks 13th in Africa for per-capita data breach risk, with one compromised email account for every 1,337 people in the past year. The country also recorded the highest number of breached email accounts in Africa within the same period.

We are among a list we shouldn't be topping simply because our government doesn't gave much considerations on our online security, just like the physical security can be scary especially in some regions. This has often made companies and organization not to give much consideration on how they safe our information online and they are inclusive.

Banks and other businesses, including governmental organization suffer data breach and we the citizens might not even be aware while the victims are not aware also, no messages is sent to inform them. That's why when someone open a bank account there is an high chance of one being contacted by scammer and I have experience this before around year 2020.

Our data are being used without our consent, something these companies may not even try if they were in some other countries. Remember last year or earlier this year when it news broke out about a site where NIN were being sold? Another site was discovered again https://fij.ng/article/another-illegal-website-offers-access-to-nigerians-nin-details-with-just-n150-phone-number/

Be careful of what you save online, the email is not a storage center, you can see the rate at which email are being compromised in Nigeria, don't  give your details if you can, remember all the risks that comes from all these. God help us.

Our personal informations are very important and must be very careful about what we put out there, no matter how important you think those informations might be to wherever you are uploading it to. Emails are being compromised because people share vital informations online. Let's talk about the loan apps circulating in Nigeria and how people are not seeing the dangers of it. Before they give out loans they take vital informations from people , this includes your bvn, nin, and sometimes the numbers on your bank card which your bank specifically stated that the details on it shouldnt be shared with anyone. People that have filled all these In the past might get hacked in the future and they might wonder how it happened

[Asiska02]

Our phone numbers as Nigerians once you’ve ever registered anything with the government, non-governmental organizations, private companies like banks is not safe and your information is one way or the other traveling around and you may be their next target. Nothing is checkmate in this country because of greed. Even network providers add to this mostly, just because someone needed to advertise something with you, you don’t have the right to give them my number and send me a message. Even if their motive is genuine, you don’t know how carelessly they’ll handle those informations and the wrong people get in touch with it and send us malicious links.

Scammers don’t stress themselves going through these entities to even get the information of their customers anymore, they just create a fake website and bring out a google form for you to fill for some fake government grant. In the rush of not missing out, they gather a lot of personal informations of people and use it as they want. Some go to extent of getting those informations and then sell out to scammers. This is why these scammers even know the bank you’re using because you indicated them while filling out those forms as your receiving details for the grants. We should reduce not giving out personal information unless it’s a genuine request from reputable sources.

[SatoPrincess]

Nigeria too get wahala. This particular matter no dey only happen for naija na global problem. Big tech companies dey trade data of their users to other companies. E no dey shock you how you go search an item for google next thing you go dey see am for your Facebook feed? Likewise when you dey search something on Facebook you go dey see am for TikTok/Instagram. Some of these tech companies sef dey spy on their users and listen on their conversations. I don notice say I fit dey talk to my friend about buying a bag or going on vacation, and when next I open my TikTok na bags for sale I go dey see. These issues na why US been ban TikTok because them nor want anything way go dey spy on their citizens. E Dey sad say Nigerian government no dey put eye to regulate these tech companies, all them dey after na their pocket.

[Rgram]

Before we carry blame put for other people head, make we too try reason the things way we Dey do way fit contribute to this data breach and make hacking into our privacy come with ease.

As we Nigerians be say, I sabi say, we like to Dey use free something and plenty free something way Dey out there no Dey free, na means to infiltrate our device and besides, person way develop them go like chop from them one way or the other.
We go too understand say, most of us like to accept just any Cookey request way suppose be means to study our activities and approach to the site or platform way we Dey try access. My question for us here be say, as we Dey grant these access, we sure say, na watin them say them go study way them Dey end at? How we wan take know say, them no proceed further to where we no for like them to go.
Most persons now no too Dey enjoy saving some kind documents on flash with reason being that, if you no carry am for body, e Dey hard to reproduce and so, we order to save am on the clouds, Google clouds and what have yo because, you fit reproduce am anywhere once you just login. Omo, them Dey hack these things o, either from you or otherwise and na so your data don enter wrong hands.

When it comes to bank matter, I never really Dey sensitive to that part via say, we no Dey hear many reports on these banks being a point access to this hacks but then, we too like to Dey use our details for just anything.
You go hear say, this free government funds don come out, them go just name am COVID-19 funds, PayMe, JagabanFunds, APP Youth Dev Support, Poor masses Assistance and many of them, next you go see link Dey fly around from WhatsApp, from person to person, group to groups, some go even duty you to ensure you forward to certain number of persons and groups to Dey eligible and na so people go Dey send and put their details just to receive free money. In the end, e go turn out say all na lie lie.

Just that single move, you no know who you don carry your details and logins give. When them hack us last last, na cry and curse we go result to but, the wahala, na really us na em cook am. Make we Dey very careful of these things.

[Oshio-man]

This issue of data information has been a big challenge to many governments and institutions globally, even though they don't link their information to scammers there will be sign of hack in their data information without knowing how come about their secret information to the public, we have heard many information like that in our country naija, how government electorial  body data information was hack that make the election not to hold in the country, but those government that caution about their data information, I don't think hackers will have access to their data and even though hacker gain access to their data information it will be easy to trace who link the information to hacker, even we too in the country, our data information is not safe because the government has not create solid security around all the data information in the country.

[Merit.s]

All these data leak may from our government because any form wey you dey feel, them go ask you for information wey them no go later need. I don fill one form for local government wey at the end after them get the information wey them want, na so them go throw way the form them.

I remember one time like that wey bank dey say we go use Facebook account for bank verification. That no be another way wey these bank people and government dey take leak our information to the public. Wetin concern Bank and Facebook account.

[Juicyhome]

A country that has, two identifications numers, NIN, voters card numer and BVN, and if you have to fill any form you are required to pen down your details again after providing your NiN and BVN. Even on government forms you still have to rewrite your information, it ought not to be so, in a country where data are protected once you input your Nin, you do not need to write your details again, Nigeria date are not protected, that is why scammers has excess to all Nigerians data, and you can be reach by all means, and if you are not careful enough, you will be scammed.

The said reality is that, there is no way out, your information are in public domain and everyone can access it. The only way to be save is to always confirm your email and text and do a personal research before you reply any email or text from a strange email and phone. Nigeria is not even save for us, the insecurity is increasing today, because the criminals has access to the security data base too.  To live a day in Nigeria is a blessing.