We tend to think of hackers as loners, but the reality is that cybercrime has become an extremely sophisticated her response and collaborative system. Hackers can have many motives, from economic gain to political goals. Knowing what hackers are looking for can help you to anticipate attacks and put in place security measures to protect your businesses.
Some hackers use their skills to gain a profit, identifying security holes and bringing them to the attention of authorities so that they can be addressed. These are known as white hat hackers, and they’re typically paid by the companies they work for to conduct penetration tests. Other hackers have more sinister motives, such as stealing personal information for credit card fraud or identity theft, or using viruses to create illegal charges or trigger attacks on service (which can shut down devices).
A secure password is the first line of defense in your fight against hackers. By incorporating two-factor authentication on sites like banking and social media will increase your security. The encryption of your hard drive is a different method to prevent hackers from accessing your personal data even if you manage to gain access to your device. Update your operating system, browsers, and important apps regularly. Most devices will automatically update, which can close vulnerabilities in software that could allow hackers to view and steal information.
We live in a connected world, which means that our smartphones and tablets, as well as computers are always on. Hackers are looking for information that you divulge online. It’s tempting to fall into a state of vulnerability and share too much. To keep your information private keep your shopping habits to a minimum and avoid accessing your personal accounts through public Wi-Fi, and make sure you don’t keep any account running all the time.