| Hackers have taken a different face. Previously, most | | | | network, hack it and use their knowledge and skills to |
| hackers were just on for the thrill of the game. | | | | commit identity theft or do other illegal activities. Wi-Fi |
| Nowadays, however, they are not just in for the game | | | | hot spots do not typically have passwords that is why |
| because they love what they do, but because they | | | | they are easier to access and there are always a lot |
| are making huge profits out of it. | | | | of people who are using them which makes hackers |
| Despite the many security measures that are being | | | | more ecstatic because they can access more |
| advertised, not one can claim that their product can | | | | information. |
| provide a hundred percent protection from hackers. | | | | The Internet |
| These people abound, and their numbers are growing | | | | The World Wide Web has provided a lot of channels |
| each minute of the day. With the newest | | | | for hackers to perpetuate their crimes-identity theft, |
| advancemenet in technology, they even proliferate | | | | illegally accessing corporate systems and financial |
| even more as technological advancements makes | | | | institutions, etc. The internet connects millions of |
| everything easier for them. | | | | computer worldwide into one big network. This then |
| But what makes hackers ecstatic? Here are some: | | | | makes it easier for hackers to commit, for instance, |
| People Making Online Purchases | | | | identity theft even when they are at the comfort of |
| When you make an online purchase, you cannot use | | | | their own homes because as long as you are |
| cash for your payments. You have to use your credit | | | | online-wirelessly or not-you are connected to the entire |
| or debit card for any financial transaction. Before you | | | | internet network. Surely you have passwords, firewalls, |
| do, most online retailers often require that you become | | | | anti-virus programs, everything to keep you protected |
| a member of the site by registering with your chosen | | | | but you cannot really assure that you will be. |
| username and passwords. Everything that you use to | | | | Hackers now come in all shapes and sizes. They can |
| make your purchase can be accessed by hackers. | | | | be professionals who make their living out of hacking, |
| They can hack into the retailer's database and steal | | | | college students hired by identity theft syndicates to |
| the personal information of every client recorded. | | | | steal personal information to be used in varied identity |
| These identities are sold to people who commit identity | | | | theft crimes, or even teenagers who happened to |
| theft and they can be sold for a huge amount of | | | | have excellent computer skills that allowe them to |
| money. | | | | access various network ports. No matter who they |
| Wi-Fi hot spots and wireless home networks | | | | are and what they can do, every individual who uses |
| These are also favorite playgrounds of hackers as | | | | the computer should be vigilant enough and take |
| they can also access a lot of personal information | | | | necessary defensive measures to make themselves |
| when they tap in to these hot spots. People use the | | | | less attractive to hackers and identity theft criminals |
| internet for a lot of transactions and since hot spots | | | | online. |
| are typically public zones, they can connect to the | | | | |