Many people think of hooded men hunched in dark rooms, hunched at their computers. But, cybercriminals come in all shapes and sizes -some are simply seeking a quick cash payday while others have more sinister goals. In addition to stealing money, many hackers make use of ransomware and phishing attacks to disrupt businesses. Therefore, protecting yourself from hackers is more important than ever.
Keep your PC, apps and browsers up to date. Updates fix software flaws hackers can use to access or steal data. Be sure to set secure PINs on your mobile devices and only download apps from official app stores. Password managers can be used to create and manage secure passwords. Be wary of clicking on suspicious links or responding to emails from unknown senders.
Contact your bank or credit-card company immediately if you’ve been the victim. You may be issued a new credit card or account number and they will monitor your activities for any fraudulent transactions. If your data was accessed, encrypt it — full disk encryption is included with Windows and MacOS — to ensure that, even hackers gain access, they are not able to access your data (Windows’ BitLocker and Apple’s FileVault are two of the most popular options).
These guidelines will help reduce the likelihood of becoming a cybercrime victim. Remember, hackers are looking for an easy target. By taking a few precautions and utilizing effective security software against hackers you can enjoy your online without worrying about cyber-crime.