20 Secrets Hackers Don’t Want You To Know
The internet is prone to several risks today. A simple tab on the wrong link could open the door wide for cybercriminals waiting to exploit you. Statista.com estimates that in 2020, there were about 1001 cases of data breaches affecting 115.8 million people in the USA. Hackers have several ways to hack your data and use it for malicious goals.
The cybersecurity experts at Mathe Inc. believe the best way to gain a clearer understanding of your vulnerabilities is to enter the hacker’s mind. The following are the 20 hacking secrets that hackers don’t want you to know.
They Send Exciting Personal Emails
Hackers love sending incredibly targeted emails to get your sensitive information, such as financial data and passwords. Spear phishing emails may call you by your name, refer to you using your professional title or even mention a current project you are working on in order to gain your trust. These emails usually contain links with unusual URLs, suspicious attachments, requests for personal information and more. Unless you are absolutely sure an email is from someone you know, don’t open attachments or click links from strange and suspicious emails.
They Monitor Your Social Media Accounts
Cybercriminals monitor all the social media accounts of their targets in the search for sensitive information such as pet names, children’s names, anniversary dates, and birth dates. They are aware people typically use this data to create passwords. Avoid sharing sensitive information on your social media platforms.
Hackers Are Very Patient
If you have encountered an attempted hacking incident, don’t think it is over. Hackers simply never get tired of trying. If they try a million passwords without success, they simply take a coffee break or a nap before proceeding with their work. They will use all kinds of tricks to lure you into revealing sensitive information that helps them complete their mission.
They Target Public Wi-Fi
Logging in to public Wi-Fi can increase your vulnerabilities to cyber-attacks substantially. Hackers usually look for public Wi-Fi to hack and manipulate data in real-time. Avoid using public Wi-Fi unless you are absolutely sure it is 100% secure. The best alternative is to set up the internet on your smartphone and make it private.
They Monitor Your Surfing
Not all websites out there are safe. Hackers can sneak in soon after logging into a poorly secured website. They will then redirect you to a more malicious website. In most cases, the site owner doesn’t even know what is happening until too late.
They Will Trick You With Fake Apps
Some of the apps that you see online may not be safe. Hackers definitely want you to download these fake apps. Fake apps are an excellent platform for hackers to mine personal data and steal your money. After downloading a fake app, you will be required to input several personal details. You will then be logged in to an entirely different site.
They Take Advantage of Your Typos
Hackers have mastered several common typos that people make when using the internet. When you type different information on the search bar contrary to what you wanted, you may be directed to a malicious site within seconds, where hackers will exploit your vulnerabilities. It is always good to cross-check what you type before proceeding.
They Pose as Buyers
A hacker can leverage the channels your online customers normally use to order your products or services. They will then request you for personal information to use in “processing checks”. Avoid checks that carry higher amounts than the actual value of a sale.
They Send Fake Software Updates
Not all software updates you receive are from authentic sources. Hackers can send updates with malicious content designed to corrupt your devices. Unfortunately, the bogus updates look so real to an untrained eye. Before you accept any updates, contact your service provider to confirm whether they are genuine.
They Send New Friends Requests
Hackers may send you fake friend requests bearing similar names and photos of someone you know. Once you accept the friend request, they will build up communication to gain your trust. Before long, you will start receiving links asking you to open them for hot deals. Avoid such links at all costs.
They Monitor Your Online Shopping
Most eCommerce entities love to assure their customers that their websites are foolproof. Well, this is not true for all of them. Be careful when shopping online because cybercriminals infiltrate unsecured websites to steal customer data. To be safe, only use highly secure websites when carrying out online shopping.
They Lure You with Amazing Videos
Hackers know you can’t resist unique videos with catchy bylines. They will lure you with a malicious link to videos that could end up compromising your sensitive data. Avoid all videos from unfamiliar sources.
Exploits Your Bluetooth Headset
Hackers love it when you leave your Bluetooth function enabled after using a hands-free headset. They will easily connect your devices and manipulate and steal crucial data. Always turn your Bluetooth off after use.
They Infiltrate Your Smart Devices
Notably, a smart device is a computer. Because most smart devices are not adequately secured, anything in your home or office from smart TVs, smart fridges, smart baby monitors, or smart lighting systems that connect to the internet can be hacked. The effective way to outsmart hackers is to change the default password when setting up smart devices.
Crack Passwords on Easy Sites
Recent studies reveal 50% of people recycle passwords for multiple sites and platforms. Hackers know this too well. They will hack softer targets such as hiking forums, where they obtain your email address and passwords and use the same password to log in to your email account. They will then head to your financial accounts and try the same password. To avoid this, use two-factor authentication to log in to your accounts.
They Break Into Old Routers Using WEP Encryption
Older routers still leverage wired equivalent privacy (WEP) encryption. Hackers can easily break such routers using popular software programs. Ensure your routers use more secure encryption, such as the WPA or WPA 2. You should also change the default Wi-Fi passwords.
They Will Scare You Into Taking Action
Hackers can impersonate trustworthy companies and send a fake financial warning that requires you to do a specific action. You can get an urgent message from your “bank” ordering you to confirm your account information. Remember, companies never ask customers for sensitive account details such as passwords.
They Debit Small Amounts at First
Cybercriminals can test a stolen card number by debiting tiny amounts of less than $10 to check whether anyone notices. To prevent hackers from further damage, it is important that you check your online transactions routinely and report any suspicious transactions.
They Wait for You to Withdraw Cash from an ATM
Criminals typically hack ATMs you regularly cash from. They leverage disguised skimmers or hidden cameras to steal your card information. They may also place a thin skin over the keypad to capture your pin. Always use ATMs located inside the banking halls because criminals find installing devices on such ATMs hard. You should also inspect the machine carefully before using it.
They Sneak Into Your Old Accounts
The more unused accounts you have just floating around, the more at risk of being hacked. Hackers sneak into old accounts to steal personal information. These could be accounts for services you canceled a long time ago, email accounts you never access, gaming accounts you no longer use and more. There is a high chance most of your old accounts share the same passwords you still use. Identify all old accounts and delete them.
Let Mathe Inc Help You Stay Clear of Hackers
It is important to understand all the secrets of hacking systems, so you take the necessary measures to prevent actors from infiltrating your system. Working with IT experts such as Mathe Inc effectively prevents cybercrimes that could cause devastating damage. Our cybersecurity experts are committed to protecting your IT environment 24/7. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Thanks to Ulistic HPC member James Forbis, a Cincinnati IT services expert for his help with this article.
With over 35 years in the business of supporting and implementing technology for the SME market, and 6 years previously in Corporate IT and Voice. I have seen a great deal of change. The only common thread is I have always focused on the Business Wise application of Technology. We always try to look 5 years ahead of the current technology to make sure our clients are on the right track to meet current and future needs.
