How to Prevent Hacking our Device From Hackers

The growth of the World Wide Web in the 1990s introduced new possibilities and spawned new industries, but it also brought about new downsides of connectivity. Tons of spam started to infiltrate email accounts, and computer viruses wreaked havoc on business networks. A new threat known as computer hacking extended the definition of thievery to include infiltrating your computer, stealing personal information, tricking you into revealing private data, and using that data to steal and extort personal information, such as business secrets, bank account credentials and even people’s identities.

• Hackers are criminals who gain unauthorized access to a network and devices, usually with the intent to steal sensitive data, such as financial information or company secrets.

• You can protect your computers by using firewalls and antivirus software and by following best practices for computer use.

• You can protect your mobile devices by turning off Bluetooth when it’s not in use, being mindful of the Wi-Fi networks you connect to, and using security applications to improve monitoring and protection.

Don’t access personal or financial data with public Wi-Fi.

 This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people check their bank accounts or make purchases with a credit card while using public Wi-Fi. It’s best to do those things on a secure connection. Turn off anything you don’t need.

 Hackers can use certain features on your phone to get at your information, location or connection. So, instead of keeping your GPS, wireless connection and geo-blocking on all the time, just turn them on when you need them.

 Choose your apps wisely.

 Only download apps from trustworthy sources that have established a good reputation. Make sure you update your software and apps regularly and get rid of old apps you don’t use.

 Use a password, lock code or encryption.

 Make sure your passwords are at least eight characters long, with a mix of upper and lower case, and include numbers or other characters, and never use the auto-complete feature for passwords. You can use the storage encryption feature on your phone to protect your private data, and set your screen to timeout after five minutes or less.

 Be skeptical about links and attachments.

 If you’re not sure about the source, don’t use the link or open the attachment.

Trace or erase.

 Make sure your data is secure if your mobile device is stolen or lost. You can set up your device to lock itself after a pre-set number of failed log-in attempts.

 Create complex passwords.

   Your passwords to access your accounts on apps or websites should consist of a combination of numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and special characters that are difficult to guess.

•   Don't use the same password for more than one website or account. This limits the damage to you if a hacker happens to crack one of your passwords.

 Use two-factor authentication. 

  Two-factor authentication requires you to enter a code sent to you in a text message or another service to access your account after you enter your user name and password. This makes it more difficult for a hacker to access your information, even if they are able to crack your password.

•  Most major websites, including popular social media networks, have some form of two-factor authentication available. Check your account settings to learn how to enable this feature.

•  You can set up two-step verification for your Google account.

•  Popular app alternatives to receiving a text message include Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy. Some password managers also include a built-in authenticator app.

 Avoid using the correct answer for security questions.

  When making security questions, don't make the answer to them the correct answer. Hackers can find out your mother’s maiden name or what street you grew up on easily. Instead, make the answers incorrect, or even better, make them like passwords and don't base the answers on the questions at all.

•  For example, for the security question "What is your mother’s maiden name?" make the answer something like "Pineapple".

  •  Better yet, you use a combination of random numbers, letters, and symbols like "Ig690HT7@."

•  You might want to write down the answers to your security questions and keep them in a safe place, so that you can still recover your account if you forget the answers.