Ways Hackers Steal Your Data (And How to Defend Yourself)

For non-technophiles, online communication is as simple as clicking send in an email client. But in reality, the entire process includes a series of precise mechanisms that took decades to develop.

Suppose you are to send a photo of your last trip to Panama. Upon sending, the picture’s data gets broken down into packets that are typically no bigger than 1,500 bytes each. Once these packets reach the intended recipient, a computer reassembles them back into an image ready to be viewed by humans.

Today, internet technology has become so efficient that ‘on an average internet connection ‘up to 5.1 megabytes of data can be transferred in a second. The only problem is that data in transit is susceptible to digital eavesdroppers or more popularly known as hackers.

How Hackers Steal Data

A hacker has many tricks up his sleeve. If their goal is corporate sabotage, they can leverage a network of infected computers or botnets’ to launch a Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attack. They can also infiltrate networks by injecting malware, such as keyloggers’ that track everything a user types.

Luckily, there is a straightforward solution that can prevent these common cyber threats. For everyday internet users, a free tool like Malwarebytes should be enough to block most malware attacks. If you’re a website owner who’s worried about DDoS, then you can use protection platforms like CloudFlare that offer free plans.

But as online communications advance, so do the techniques of hackers:

Computer LED Lights

It’s been recently discovered that hackers can potentially steal sensitive information through indicator LED lights, particularly the ones found on hard drives. According to researchers, these lights are capable of up to 6,000 blinks per second, which can be recorded, sent, and decoded like Morse code.

Once way to avert such an attack is to unplug the infected device from the internet, thus, preventing hackers from retrieving the information. But the ideal solution, however, is to prevent hackers from implanting the malware that allows them to decode your computer’s LED lights in the first place. This can be done via USB or SD card, which means any adequate anti-virus or a simple security scanner like USB Disk Security or USB DriveSecurity by ESET can help you stay protected.

Cellphones

Do you frequently exchange sensitive information through phone calls or text messages thinking you can communicate privately and securely? Plenty of evidence shows that you’re wrong. As a matter of fact, a skilled hacker only needs your cellphone number to be able to read your texts, hear your calls, and track your location even with your GPS off.

This is due to huge security flaws in SS7 or Signaling System Seven, which all phones use to communicate across different networks. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do when it comes to solving this vulnerability. Instead, you can opt for mobile apps that allow encryption like Telegram, iMessage, and WhatsApp. For calls, opt for services that utilize VoIP or Voice Over Internet Protocol, which are not tied to mobile networks.

Phishing Scams

Despite being one of the oldest techniques hackers use to steal information, up to 80,000 users fall victim to phishing scams every single day. Typically, hackers execute phishing scams through email blasts that mimic real emails from any service provider you trust be it a local store or a bank.

Being proactive is important if you want to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. In case the email requires you to send or input your login credentials, be sure to verify the request with the company first. And the best way of doing so is through official hotline numbers or support email addresses.

Local WiFi Router

Hackers sometimes don’t have to look far to obtain access to your local network. Regardless if you’re running a local small business or surfing from home, they can log in to your network using your router’s default administrator credentials. After all, these credentials can easily be obtained from the web simply by searching for default router passwords .

A quick fix is to change your router’s administrator access credentials. Usually, you can access the router admin panel with an address that starts with 192.168.’ and ends with a few more digits. Simply refer to your router’s manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance.

Lastly, be wary of free WiFi networks’ in public places as hackers sometimes use them to monitor your online activities. A rule of thumb is to avoid public networks without a proper identification. But in case you really need online connectivity, consider using a Virtual Private Network or VPN service to encrypt your online connection.