The statistic presents the leading causes of data breaches worldwide in 2016, sorted by share of identities exposed. In the most recently reported period, theft of data accounted for 91.6 percent of data breaches that resulted in stolen identities.
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Symantec. (April 18, 2017). Leading causes of data breaches worldwide in 2016, by share of identities exposed [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/263303/proportion-of-the-most-common-causes-for-possible-identity-theft/
Symantec. "Leading causes of data breaches worldwide in 2016, by share of identities exposed." Chart. April 18, 2017. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/263303/proportion-of-the-most-common-causes-for-possible-identity-theft/
Symantec. (2017). Leading causes of data breaches worldwide in 2016, by share of identities exposed. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/263303/proportion-of-the-most-common-causes-for-possible-identity-theft/
Symantec. "Leading Causes of Data Breaches Worldwide in 2016, by Share of Identities Exposed." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 18 Apr 2017, /statistics/263303/proportion-of-the-most-common-causes-for-possible-identity-theft/
Symantec, Leading causes of data breaches worldwide in 2016, by share of identities exposed ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/263303/proportion-of-the-most-common-causes-for-possible-identity-theft/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Leading causes of data breaches worldwide in 2016, by share of identities exposed [Graph], Symantec, April 18, 2017. [Online]. Available: /statistics/263303/proportion-of-the-most-common-causes-for-possible-identity-theft/