| So How exactly do hackers strut their stuff? I think it is | | | | which will request the user to sign in again. Once the |
| important to understand the basis of their activity in | | | | user has signed in, all the information goes straight to |
| order to protect our computers from their filthy hands | | | | the hacker and the hacker will then able to infiltrate the |
| even further. By knowing what they do, we'll | | | | user's account and repeat the process. There has also |
| understand which part of the computer they | | | | been cases like this for eCash websites such as |
| specifically target thus makes it easier for us to | | | | Paypal. So how you do distinguish a genuine and |
| protect our computers by taking measures against | | | | bogus website? First, pay attention at the URL |
| that specific part. In a way, the quote, "Attack is the | | | | address. Are there any typos? For example, and Most |
| best form of Defence" can be applied here and I don't | | | | users only take a quick glance at the URL address |
| mean hacking back the hackers who hacked you. I | | | | and I guarantee that they wouldn't be able to spot the |
| mean outsmarting them so they can't repeat the same | | | | typo from the previous example. Another thing to look |
| process over and over again. Who knows? If | | | | for, especially if you're doing online transactions is the |
| everyone gives them a hard time then they may go | | | | https:// sign. All major online businesses should have |
| elsewhere and turn into a new leaf, using hacking for a | | | | this to show that any transactions are encrypted and |
| good cause. So how do hackers hack your | | | | secured. In the end, it really comes down to common |
| computer? Unfortunately, there are many ways in | | | | sense so always be aware of any websites you visit |
| which one can do so. As explained by the following | | | | and don't click a link hastily if you come across one. |
| quote. | | | | Type 3: Trojans, spyware and keyloggers |
| "In the Old world, if I wanted to attack something | | | | Trojans, spyware and keyloggers can all be classified |
| physical, there was one way to get there. You could | | | | as malware. What do they do? They basically act as |
| put guards and guns around it, you could protect it. But | | | | a backdoor in a computer. A Hacker will distribute a |
| a Database - or a control system - usually has multiple | | | | legitimate looking installation file around, possibly through |
| pathways, unpredictable routes to it, and seems | | | | emails or P2P networks. What most user wouldn't |
| intrinsically impossible to protect. That's why most | | | | know is that a trojan or spyware would be part of the |
| efforts at computer security has been defeated." - | | | | installation file and they would be installed unnoticed. |
| Andrew Marshall, military analyst | | | | Once they have been installed, the malware process |
| That sums it up perfectly. Unfortunately, most efforts | | | | will run in the background and monitor every move a |
| at computer security has been defeated because | | | | user makes on his computer. A keylogger for example |
| hackers continue to evolve their ideas so it becomes | | | | will record every keystroke a user makes, things like |
| stronger and less detectable. However, these | | | | passwords and bank account numbers are at risk. |
| megaviruses and malware only come around once in | | | | How do you avoid these malware? Download files |
| a while so lets focus on the most common forms of | | | | only from legitimate and reputable websites! Always |
| hacking. Note: If you are looking for ways to hack then | | | | question the software beforehand by searching about |
| you're on the wrong site buddy. | | | | it on Search Engines like Google. You are bound to find |
| Type 1: Brute Force attack | | | | many user reviews about the software, helping you |
| A brute force attack is a method of defeating the | | | | decided whether to install the file or not. |
| encryption which secures a network by systematically | | | | Type 4: Software vulnerabilities |
| trying a large number of possibilities. What it basically | | | | Unfortunately, every software and programs out there |
| does is to guess the possibilities of a password by | | | | has flaws and hackers take advantage of them |
| running through a list of dictionary words, number | | | | quickly and efficiently. As you may have heard |
| patterns and symbols until it has found the actual | | | | recently, The Conficker Virus was able to spread due |
| password. This kind of hacking can take up to weeks | | | | to a vulnerability in the Windows Operating System. To |
| if the password is complex but can take a matter of | | | | reduce the chances of hackers taking advantage of |
| minutes if your password is as simple as 'abc'. How to | | | | these vulnerabilities, always download the latest |
| avoid it? Simple. Make your password as complex as | | | | updates for your OS as soon as it is released. |
| possible and use a secure password manager such | | | | Windows has its infamous Windows Update which |
| as Roboform to remember it. How do you make a | | | | can be quite annoying at times but it is the quickest |
| complex password? Check my earlier article, | | | | and most efficient way for Microsoft to distribute |
| 'Impossible for others, possible for you - designing your | | | | updates to fix any security vulnerabilities they find in |
| password'. | | | | the system. There are unfortunately many other forms |
| Type 2: Bogus websites | | | | of hacking out there but the above four points cover |
| Unfortunately, many internet users don't pay attention | | | | the most basic of attacks which are performed |
| a lot of attention on the website they access. For | | | | against common users. Hackers on a large scale may |
| example, there has been two cases of bogus | | | | also use attacks such as DDOS (Distributed Denial of |
| Facebook websites during the last few months when | | | | Service) which aims to overload a system's network |
| hackers made a replica of Facebook and convinced | | | | by directing many 'puppet' computers to a site in one |
| users to sign in like a normal Facebook website. How? | | | | go. Sounds scary huh? Don't worry. These attacks are |
| They'll first infiltrate a user's account and send a | | | | not likely to come at you unless you are a high figure |
| convincing message to all his friends. The message | | | | profile causing controversy in the underground world. |
| could be something like "Hey. Check out your photo in | | | | Just be aware of what you do on your computer and |
| my Photo Album. Click here to see it'. The link will lead | | | | always have an antivirus of antispyware program |
| the user's friend to the bogus Facebook website | | | | installed to reduce your chances of being hacked. |