Posted on 12/02/2023 5:21:48 AM PST by Libloather
**SNIP**
1. Using out-of-date software
Keiran told MailOnline that one of the first things he and other hackers look for when preparing an attack is out-of-date software.
'Out-of-date software is a really big issue because, if the software has been updated, it's probably because there is a security issue', he explained.
Software, whether it is the operating system of your iPhone or the control system for a factory, often has some sort of vulnerability.
While these can quickly fixed by developers, they are also often shared online through forums and hacker communities.
If you haven't updated your software to include the fix, Keiran explains, 'people can get in and steal really sensitive information and even sometimes take control of the software.'
The vulnerabilities can take many different forms and allow criminals to cause serious disruption for companies and individuals.
These attacks are often opportunistic as criminal groups scan online archives for out-of-date versions of software.
Keiran says the recent crippling hack on the British Library was likely to have been an opportunistic attack of this kind
To keep safe online, Keiran says you should 'always ensure that your software is up to date.'
2. Reusing passwords
Another common way that hackers get hold of your personal data, according to Keiran, is by exploiting reused passwords.
Keiran told MailOnline: 'No matter what site you're giving information to you, you don't know what they're going to do with that information or how they're going to protect it.'
He says that the big risk of re-using passwords is that if even one site you use is compromised, it can give hackers access to all of your accounts.
'As soon as a company is breached there's usually a big database dump that gets put on the darkweb,' Keiran said.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
3. Giving out too much information on-line.
4. Connecting to unprotected public networks.
5. Clicking on dodgy links.
There are so many people out there with good skills used for evil purposes. I don’t know what you do about that, but I have some ideas...
The nugatory question is: How does one contact a hacker as a contrator for hire?
I have my own domain, so I also have a dozen e-mail accounts that I cycle through for different sites. When I get an unsolicited email (or one of those send me money or I will release my spyware videos of you going to nasty website phony threats), I can greatly narrow down possible sources of the breach.
“The nugatory question is: How does one contact a hacker as a contrator for hire?”
I would imagine through some sort of plea bargin...
6: Just don’t put any financial info on your cell phone.
The only thing saved on my phone is my contact list, no saved passwords or credit card info. I do all that stuff at home on my PC which is more secure.
You never know: there may be some already in your midst.
Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Home PCs are generally easier to break into, they’re just behind ISPs with at least a basic level of security. One wrong software install or malvertisement and your entire home network becomes an involuntary member of a botnet.
I was attending an outdoor event. I checked my phone, and found it downloading some software. I stopped that action (I think…) and turned off WI-FI seeking.
Is there a way to specify the WI-FI networks that your device is allowed to connect to?
The problem with passwords is remembering them. The greatest password in the world is useless if you can’t remember it. And you don’t dare store your passwords in a computer, since it might get hacked.
Exactly.
I would also add to be VERY WARY of ‘apps’.
“1. Using out-of-date software”
I always assume that when software is being updated, it’s being done to make you less secure, and easier for Uncle Sugar to break in.
I have only 2 passwords in my cell. FR and Gmail to be able to use Android. And the sites are always active so I’m not logging in every time.
Don’t do email on my cell so no links coming in that could be suspicious. Although I’ve seen some texts that looked suspicious.
Absolutely nothing financial, ever. No credit cards or banking.
My nephew gave his young teen daughter a Gabb cell phone made especially to keep kids safe. Talk and text only. It sounds attractive — like back in the early days of cellular.
DONT connect to public wi-fi.
If someone does banking online, one person said tO use an old computer, cheap one, uo to date software- a laptop or whatever, and only connect to the banking sitE and disconnect computer when done, and use other computers for every day use online.
[[I always assume that when software is being updated, it’s being done to make you less secure, and easier for Uncle Sugar to break in.]]
Lol! Windows is like that- you get it just the way you want it, not allowing it to “phone home” and such, then an update happens and they change your setting back to allow it-
Not sure about Android phones, but for iPhones, the setting is under the the WiFi settings. Settings > WiFi > Ask to Join Networks (these are outside your known networks). There are three settings for it Notify, Ask, and Off. Select "Off". You can also toggle WiFi on and off under the WiFi settings. Then your phone won't reach out to surrounding networks either. When you leave WiFi on, your phone is constantly searching for WiFi networks when you are not attached to your known network.
Another function to turn off is "Auto-Join Hotspots."
Also, turn off AirDrop unless you specifically want to use it (uses Bluetooth or cellular to move files between iPhones). With the newest iPhone software update, there is a new function called "Bringing Devices Together" that allows one iPhone to connect to another when setting it on top of another iPhone. It allow transfer of numbers with Name Drop. Or photos, etc. Turn off the AirDrop function unless you're wanting to specifically use it with someone. You can see the options within the AirDrop function. That is located under Settings > General > Air Drop
A password manager is the solution to that problem. I use RoboForm to manage my hundreds of passwords. I only have to remember a master password that provides access to all the other passwords.
The truth is most people are not targets. We become targets when we do something stupid like clicking on unknown links. But there’s not an endless stream of hackers trying to get into your computer or phone. They go after the big fish and don’t waste time on minnows.
> The problem with passwords is remembering them.
Get a password manager like LastPass or something and learn to use it properly. I really don’t even know most of my 12-16 character randomly generated passwords anymore. That along with a few simple rules in life - like never clicking on links in an email, go directly to whereever by entering the url yourself - will change your life.
The passwords I have to remember are usually something highly offensive so that they won’t be said or emailed anywhere ;-)
BTW, used to manage a group of computers and databases and etc. back when I was working so I know of whence I speak.
These days, most carriers let you use your phone as a hot spot. A password is needed to connect to the hot spot so if you're in a public space it's much better to connect using your phone as a hot spot than to connect through the public wifi.
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