Hackers come in many ways with sophisticated hacking techniques, although online security has been discussed a lot in recent years; many people are still unfamiliar with the types of attacks they are most likely targeting.
Knowing what’s out there is obviously important in keeping you online safely. Read this article to learn about 8 of the most common hacking tactics, together with what steps you can take to protect yourself.
Wi-Fi spoofing
Public Wi-Fi networks are excellent when moving. However, it is important to be aware of attacks which may hack your data using public wireless networks. A spoofed Wi-Fi is one of the most common risks with the use of public wireless networks. Wi-Fi spoofing is a type of hacking technique, also known as Fake Wireless Access Point attacks, which works by creating a false Wi-Fi point.
If you browse the publicly available Wi-Fi networks, you will usually see many entries, such as’ Starbucks Wi-Fi’ or’ Public Library Wi-Fi,’ that seem safe to use. The problem is that hackers sometimes set up similar sound networks, such as’ Free Cafe Wi-Fi,’ which trick users before entering personal details into their connection.
Keylogging
Keyloggers are a type of malware-based hacking techniques that record all you type on your keyboard and send the data to the program’s hacker. If you have a keylogger on your device, the hacker responsible will quickly receive any usernames and passwords you type, together with anything from bank details to phone numbers, which could make many of your accounts vulnerable.
Phishing
Phishing attacks work by persuading users that the hackers are someone they are not, by using a façade or a bait.
One of the most common phishing forms is by e-mail. In these cases, hackers are a reputable source, whether it is a bank, a colleague or a customer. They send an email asking for personal information in the hope that the recipient will provide it because they believe that they are in contact with a trusted source.
Trojans
Trojans, named after the Trojan horse, are a malware type that provides access to other malware programs on your computer once installed.
You may receive emails, pose as PDFs or other common file types, or you may be tricked into downloading them online if you think you are downloading another program or file. When you open the apparently harmless file, the malware inside your device is released.
DDOS
A service denial attack distributed can cut off your Internet connection. DDOS hacking techniques work to send so many requests to your IP address using a network of computers, which are often taken over by viruses, that your network is overwhelmed. You can stop DDOS attacks by changing your IP address–and hiding it so that it is not discovered again.
Man in the middle (MITM)
Man catches data between you and the website or internet service you connect to. For example, a hacker could intercept and edit any data sent over a unsecured public Wi-Fi network. The best way to stop MITM attacks is to ensure that all important data sent from and to your device is encrypted, since this prevents third parties from reading it. An email interception is a common MITM hacking technique in which messages sent between you and a real contact–such as a bank or a conveyor–are edited by a hacker on the way.
Transferring fraud is a major culprit, in which the man changes payment details in the middle of the conversation. As a result, an email from the address of your carrier requests that payments be made to an account number which is actually owned by a hacker.
Cookie theft
While you are disappointed by any type of cookie theft, an online person can also give hackers access to your login details on many sites. Websites store your login information in cookies to recognize you automatically and log in to their websites. In order to stop the robbery of cookies, website programmers must ensure that they encrypt the data they store in cookies.
Otherwise, as a user, the only thing you can do is clear your cookies regularly to limit your exposure to theft–and take common sense measures to prevent the installation of software from untrusted sources that may contain malicious content.
Brute force password attacks
One of the most important things you can do for your online privacy is to have a secure password, but it is something that most people fail to do. According to a 2017 Splash data survey, the most common passwords are’ 123456′ and’ password.’ Hackers are well aware of this and it is by far the easiest way to access your accounts and data to guess your password.
Anyone who knows your email address or account name can attempt to log in to your Facebook account, email or other account and guess your password. Brute force attacks automate this process by trying thousands of combinations a minute to log into accounts. If you use a common password, a brute force attack will probably occur in a matter of seconds.
Top 3 Method to avoid Hacking
VPN Virtual Private Networks from all of the above hacking techniques
Secure your online activity by routing your traffic through your servers. This hides your identity, because the VPN accesses websites on your behalf and secures your connection, as VPNs encrypt the data between you and their servers.
VPN services cost a few pounds per month, but they are the most comprehensive online privacy tool. Just use a VPN to protect you against MITM and DDOS attacks, because your data is encrypted and your real IP is hidden. Your Internet service provider will also be unable to keep track of your Internet speeds or online activity and you will be able to use public Wi-Fi networks safely.
Antivirus
Antivirus programs like keyloggers and trojans can detect and remove viruses. That said, a high-quality antivirus will probably include threat detection to stop viruses reaching you first, along with things like app behavior scanners to flag suspicious activity, and tools to flag emails and attachments that might be phishing or ransomware attempts.
Password manager
It is important to have a secure password. The reason so many people still choose to use simple passwords is that it is difficult to remember complex and secure passwords, but thankfully, password managers allow you to have a range of secure passwords without having to remember anything.
The most important thing you can do to stay online safe is to learn about the risks and make use of common sense. When you receive an email you do not expect, double-check the address from which it is sent, do not follow links and check attachments before you open them. You are much less vulnerable to any hacking tactic with just a few simple precautions.
