Information leakage occurs when a closed system reveals unauthorized information. It can happen intentionally through hackers exploiting network weaknesses, or unintentionally through mistakes. Leaked information could harm companies if it involves customer or personal data. Examples include WikiLeaks publishing confidential documents, and Google accidentally leaking earnings numbers early. Data loss prevention software and services aim to prevent information leakage through firewalls, antivirus software, abnormal activity detection, and dedicated solutions.

1. Information/Data leakage
Emil Hermansson

2. Definition
 Information leakage is when a system designed to be
closed for outsiders reveals information to unauthorized
parties
 It is very common that there is some amount of
information leakage, even though the leakage may be
harmless. There might be a leakage that you are
sending a message, but no information about the
message or to whom you are sending it

3. Special elements in this threat
 There are hackers (crackers is another name used) who
seeks and exploits weaknesses in networks
 Some information might also be leaked unintentionally
by mistake
 Information about a companys customers or their
personal information is something that might leak and
harm the company

4. Examples
 WikiLeaks is an example of a site that provides all sorts
of information leakage. It might not be from the social
media so much and the main source of the leakages are
whistleblowers.
 Google accidentally leaked information about their
earnings too early, costing the company USD22 Billion
 All users of social media that do not protect their privacy
sets themselves prone for identity theft

5. How to prevent the threats
 DLP stands for Data Loss Prevention.
 There are many companies providing softwares and
services to help companies prevent information leakage
 All major antivirus companies offer DLP services
 There are three different levels of DLP:
- Standard security measures that include firewalls and
antivirus software
- Advanced security measures that include detecting of
abnormal activities and employ machine learning
- Designated DLP solutions that include all intentional
and unintentional unauthorized sending or copying of
sensitive data

6. Sources
 http://www.networkworld.com/research/2008/010708data-leak-nightmares.html
 http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2012/10/19/data-leakgoogle-stock/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_loss_prevention_softw
are
 http://wikileaks.org/About.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_leakage