We often think of hackers as loners but the reality is that cybercrime has become a sophisticated and collaborative ecosystem. Hackers have a variety of motivations, from economic gain to political goals. Knowing what hackers are looking for can help you avoid attacks and establish systems to protect your small companies.
Some hackers employ their skills to do good. They spot security holes and report them so that they can be fixed. These are known as white hat hackers and they’re usually paid by the businesses they work for to conduct penetration tests. Some hackers are more sinister like the ones who steal personal information to commit fraud with credit cards identity theft, fraud, or employ viruses to create unauthorized payments or to shut down devices.
A strong password is your first protection against hackers. Adding two-factor verification to sites such as banking and social media can increase your security. Encrypting your hard disk is a different way to prevent hackers from gaining access your private information even if you manage to break into your device. Make sure that you keep your operating system, browsers and other essential apps up to date. The majority of devices will automatically download updates, which can close software vulnerabilities that might otherwise allow hackers to view or steal information.
We live in a digital world which means that our smartphones and tablets, as well as computers are always connected. It’s tempting to let your guard down and share a lot of information online, but that’s exactly the type of information hackers want. To keep your information private do not shop or use private accounts via public Wi-Fi, and make sure you don’t keep any account open for site link all time.