Security

A Guide to What hackers Are After and How You Can Stop Them

As the number of connected devices increases, so do hackers’ avenues to access our data. Internet users or companies are attacked on the internet every 39 seconds — it’s no surprise that internet security is such big business.

Use this guide so you can better understand hackers and use these tips so that you won’t get hacked in 2022.

Why Hackers Attack

There isn’t just one reason a hacker may go after your data. For most, the reason is money. They can sell your information or even hold it from you and demand a ransom.

For others, they want to leak your most personal information to humiliate you, or they may even just do it for fun. No matter the reason behind the attack, you need to be ready.

What You Can Do to Keep Them Out

1. Buy a VPN Subscription

The VPN industry in 2020 was worth $20 billion and growing. By accessing a Virtual Private Network (VPN), you will create a private gateway for your devices. VPN disguises your IP address, making it impossible for hackers to trace you.

Using a reliable server like ServerMania can ensure your connection is private and far more difficult for hackers to access.

2. Improve Your Passwords

Remember to use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters to strengthen your passwords. Also, never use your personal information like your birthday, phone number, location, etc. Unfortunately, these are easy for hackers to guess if they want to breach your data.

3. Update your Software

Keeping your software updated will protect your data when any new risks appear. Updates take bugs out of the software and make them safer. If your software isn’t set up to do automatic updates, be sure to set it up or regularly check for updates.

4. Set Up Multi-Factor Authentication

MFA (multifactor authentication) protects users against attacks, phishing, and password attacks by blocking hackers from exploiting stolen or weak credentials. Using MFA, users prove who they are by using authentication factors before any access is granted. MFA stops hackers that might have bought or stolen your password from entering important websites like internet banking.

5. Don’t Open Attachments You Don’t Know

Be sure never to open any attachments from emails you don’t recognize. This includes clicking on links that are not familiar to you. Hackers will use attacks like fake missed delivery emails or anything that might sound familiar to scam you. If unsure, phone the company and check with a representative if the email is legit.

6. Report Suspicious Activity

Contact law enforcement immediately if you think you or someone you know has been hacked, identity, or credit card fraud has occurred. IdentityTheft.gov can assist you if you feel you have also been the victim of a phishing scam.

What Information Hackers Can See

Most internet users have no idea what personal information of theirs is available online. This is the information most hackers are interested in:

  1. Personally Identifiable Information or PII – Email address, name, tax number, date of birth, SSN, and more are all examples of PII. Hackers can use this information to steal your identity.
  2. Browsing data – This includes cookies, browser plugins, and ISP logs.
  3. Messages, texts, emails – All these have to be stored somewhere. As they might contain sensitive information, they will be of value to hackers.
  4. In real-time conferences, Zoom, or Skype calls – Hackers have been known to listen in on board meetings and other personal calls.

Stay Alert Online

Always stay alert online and install the latest software and antivirus software on your devices. Hackers are always waiting for the right time to attack, so keep the above tips in mind and never trust anyone you don’t know online.

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