When in public, using the available wifi is highly convenient. It is almost impossible to find a place of business that does not provide this option for customers. Opening your mobile device or cell phone on these networks means opening yourself up to hackers. Protecting your identity and other personal information from cyberspace is a major priority. Use these tips to find out what a hacker is and how to protect yourself.
What is a Hacker
Hacker is a term used for a person using their computer skills to gain access to unauthorized networks, giving them the ability to commit crimes. They can obtain an individual's personal information or hack into corporations to hold their information for ransom. Hackers now possess software that can infect and limit individuals' access until they receive their ransom. No matter who the hacker is, their ultimate goal is to infiltrate the system and steal personal information for financial gain. There are ways to stop ransomware before it hinders your life.
What Information do Hackers Want
Your devices have a lot of important information on them. This valuable data sells to other hacks or is used by hackers around the globe. Hackers always try to attain certain information. Here is a list of information that hackers typically try to get:
- Personally identifiable information is details that are used alone or with other pieces of data that personally identify you. Passports, date of birth and race can lead a hacker to your identity.
- Social media and emails are other things that hackers try to obtain. They send a link through your email, and when you click it, it allows them access to your computer or cell phone. With social media, they can get the personal information you listed on your page and find your identity that way.
- Internet activity gets attacked when hackers see what site you usually visit. They can then add links to the pages you frequent, hoping you will follow the link and earn them money.
- Hackers detect Bluetooth with programs that can tell when a device is equipt with Bluetooth. This allows them to see what networks your device sees as trusted. Then they can connect later whenever they please.
It is easy to see how technology has enhanced hacker possibilities. So, it is more important than ever to safeguard your information against cyber attacks.
Have You Gotten Hacked
It can be challenging to tell if someone has hacked your computer or other devices. Most of the time, cyberattacks go unnoticed for quite some time before you know what happened. When unusual activity starts to appear, it is time to pay attention.
New data on your computer that you never installed, apps and other programs running in the background raise a red flag. Be sure to uninstall any suspicious apps you know you did not install yourself.
Hackers can use your computer as if they are sitting in front of it. If you see your mouse moving on the screen by itself, that indicates that someone has access to it. This is especially true if applications you would not usually access start to open.
If your friends and family ask you about a message they received on your behalf that you know you did not send, this is a sign a hacker has your contact information. Keep an eye on your sent folder to make sure someone is not pretending to be you.
Now that you know some of the ways your information can be accessed by someone else be sure to protect yourself from it. Be mindful of things that are on your mobile device or computer. You do not want your personal information to end up in the wrong hands.