Hackers are always looking for new ways to exploit people and their information. In this day and age, there is a lot of personal information floating around on the internet.
Some people think hackers wouldn’t care about targeting them. They might think hackers go after wealthy people and big corporations. While hackers like to go after wealthy targets, they will also target ordinary people.
Often, it can be much easier to hack regular people because many don’t take safety precautions to prevent hacks. This makes everyday people a prime target for hackers.
But what kinds of information do hackers want? What will a hacker target from an ordinary person? In short, there are plenty of things. Vital information, passwords, and financial information are some of the most common things hackers will target.
Let’s explore some of the information hackers target from regular people.
Vital information
One of the first things a hacker will try to do is get their hands on your vital information. These documents will have valuable information like social security number or home address.
A prominent target hackers will go for are vital records, specifically your birth certificate. Hackers will target your birth certificate to get your date of birth, full legal name, and birthplace. Hackers can do numerous things like open fake bank accounts or commit identity theft with this information.
Hackers might try to get this information by phishing. Phishing is when someone uses fraudulent emails or websites to trick you into giving them your information. They might pose as a company you trust, like your bank, and ask for your personal information.
You should always be cautious about giving out your personal information and verify the legitimacy of the website or email. If you think your personal information might have been hacked, you might want to reach out to an institution like the FTC.
Passwords
One of the most common things hackers try to get is your passwords. Your passwords are vital to keeping your online accounts secure, so hackers will go after them. A hacker can use your passwords to access all sorts of your personal information, like your email, social media, and even financial accounts.
Hackers might try to get your passwords in a few ways. One common way is through phishing, as mentioned before. They might pose as a company and ask you to reset your password or log in to their bogus website. Once you do, they now have your password.
Another way hackers can get your passwords is through keyloggers. A keylogger is a type of malware that records every keystroke you make on your keyboard. So, if you type in your password, a keylogger will record it. Keyloggers can be installed on your computer without you even knowing it.
You can protect your passwords by using a password manager and creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. You should also limit the number of people you share your passwords with.
Financial information
Your financial information is another thing hackers like to target. Hackers might try to get your debit or credit card number, bank account information, or business assets.
With this information, hackers can make charges on your credit card, open new accounts, or empty your bank account. Hackers might also use your financial information to commit fraud or take out loans in your name.
Hackers can get your financial information in a few ways. They might pose as a legitimate company and ask you to update your payment information. Or, they might install malware on your computer that records your keystrokes, like the aforementioned keylogger, and record the necessary information they need to access your finances.
You can protect your financial information by monitoring your accounts regularly. You should ensure all of your accounts have strong passwords that are changed on a semi-regular basis. You should also never give your financial information to someone you don’t know or trust.
Hackers will target many different types of information from everyday people. While it might seem like there’s not much you can do to protect yourself, there are some simple steps you can take to help keep your information safe.
By being aware of the ways hackers operate and taking measures to protect your passwords and financial information, you can help keep yourself and your information safe from harm. It can be terrifying to have your information stolen, so ensure you’re taking the right steps to prevent it from happening.
