When most people think of hackers, they imagine hooded individuals in dark rooms hunched over their computers. However, cybercrooks come in different shapes and sizesSome are seeking a quick payday while others have more malicious objectives. In addition to stealing money from people, many hackers make use of ransomware and phishing attacks to disrupt businesses. The need to protect yourself from hackers is more crucial than ever.
Keep your computer, apps and browsers up-to-date. Many updates fix software bugs that hackers can exploit to access or steal data. Make sure you set security PINs on your mobile devices, and only download apps from official app stores. Use password managers to create and manage secure passwords as well. Always be wary of clicking on links that look suspicious and responding to emails from unknown senders.
Inform your credit-card or bank company immediately if you have been the victim. You could receive a new card or account number, and they will monitor your activity for any fraudulent transactions. If your data was compromised by hackers, make sure you secure it full disk encryption is included with Windows and MacOS — to ensure that even hackers gain access, they’ll be unable to use your information (Windows‘ BitLocker and Apple’s FileVault are both popular choices).
While there is no security solution that can be guaranteed to be 100% secure The following guidelines can greatly reduce the chance of becoming a victim of a hack. Remember that hackers are always looking for easy targets. If you take a few precautions and using effective security software to protect yourself from hackers you can enjoy your time online without worrying about cyber-crime.