Hackers continuously develop highly sophisticated methods to access and steal sensitive data. This article explores 7 common techniques they use to obtain personal information and remain undetected.1. Phishing attacksRisk Level: Higha) Stats/Did you knowb) How it worksHackers design forged emails, websites, or messages that appear to originate from some famous institution.These are messages that often create a sense of urgency or provide some kind of offer.Users are incited to click on a link or download an attachment.The link opens to a fake site that requests users to enter sensitive information.Alternatively, an attachment in the mail can be infected and spread malware on the user’s device.See also – What to Do When You Receive a Phishing Email?c) What to doBeware of unsolicited e-mails, mainly those that urge you to do something urgently.Of course, the first thing to do is to verify the sender’s e-mail address. A slight misspelling or an unusual domain could sometimes be indicative of a phishing e-mail.Hover over links to see the URL before clicking on it.Never give sensitive information via e-mail or unfamiliar websites.Use multi-factor authentication on all important accounts.Keep your software and systems updated against known vulnerabilities.Inform yourself and your team about the newest phishing techniques and red flags.Report It: Send the phishing email to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov, and report it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. If it’s a scam impersonating a company, notify them too.2. Unsecured Public Wi-Fi NetworksRisk Level: Medium to Higha) Stats / Did you know87% of the consumers have most probably put some of their information at stake using public Wi-Fi.60% consumers believe their information remains secure using public Wi-Fi.53% of the users accessed their work documents while being on public Wi-Fi.Only 15% of the people engage a VPN when being on public Wi-Fi.b) How it worksEvil twin hotspots – Hackers run duplicate public Wi-Fi spots known as evil twin hotspots.Users connect to these rogue networks, believing that they are legitimate. The hackers can eavesdrop on all unencrypted data that is transmitted over that network.Attackers may also capture the data packets on any legitimate but unsecured networks using packet sniffing tools.Some hackers perform “man-in-the-middle” attack to eavesdrop upon and potentially alter the communications between the user and websites or online services.c) What to doAvoiding public WiFis: While, for example, conducting online banking services and mail exchanges.Use a Virtual Private Network to encrypt your internet traffic.Turn on the firewall on your device.Disable automatic connections to public Wi-Fi.Verify that the Wi-Fi you are using is from a trusted source.Prefer using websites that start with HTTPS wherever possible. Resources to which you are transmitting sensitive information are especially critical.Consider doing sensitive activities using your mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi.Once you have used it, forget the network as soon as you can so that your device will not be connecting automatically the next time.3. Malware InfiltrationRisk Level: HighMalware infiltration can be rated as a threat of high risk, since it can cause great damage and data loss, and since equally sophisticated malware may hardly go unnoticed. It can inflict from personal data loss to very severe financial damages for individuals as well as organizations.a) Stats/Did you knowOver 6.06 billion malware attacks were reported worldwide in 2023.92% of malware is delivered by email.The average cost to a business of a malware attack is $2.6 million.Ransomware, a significant form of malware, attacks every 11 seconds.34% of businesses struck by malware took a week or longer to recover their data.b) How it worksHackers design malicious software that is purposed to invade and cause damage to computer systems.Malware can often come in the form of real software or be buried in email attachments. The users download and install the malware on their devicesUnknowingly; after getting installed, malware can do any of the following:Spy on sensitive informationHold files for ransomCreate backdoors to gain future accessSpread from system to systemc) What to doKeep all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date.Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software and keep it updated.Be cautious while opening attachments from messages, especially of unknown senders.Downloads of software should not be done from an untrusted source.Traffic, at all times, either incoming or outgoing, should be kept under close monitoring by firewalls.Ad-blockers and pop-up blockers could try to nip malvertising in the bud.Network segmentation should be implemented in organizational settings to reduce malware propagation.See also – If Any of These 22 Texts Are on Your Phone, Delete Them Immediately4. Rogue ApplicationsRisk Level: HighPossible risk classification of rogue apps comes from their potential to be distributed very widely, the excessive permissions that these apps generally request, and the potential to just directly access sensitive data on a user’s device.a) Stats/Did you knowb) How it worksHackers create applications that function like legitimate apps or have attractive featuresThese apps are distributed through official app stores, third-party stores, direct downloadsUsers are typically lured into downloading and installing these apps through social engineering tactics.Once installed, a rogue app can :Request to unnecessary permissions to the private data storeSteal user’s personal informationMonitor user’s activity and key strokesDownload other malware or adwareSign the user up for premium SMS servicesc) How to protect against thisDownload applications from official application stores such as Google Play Store & Apple App StoreCheck the reviews and reputation of the developers before downloading any new appBe cautious of apps that request excessive permissions not justified by their functionalityRegularly review the permissions granted to apps on your devicesAvoid clicking on advertisements or links that prompt you to download appsAvoid applications that offer unbeatable features.Audit the apps on your device and delete those you never use.5. KeyloggersRisk Level: HighKeyloggers are quite dangerous because they directly extract sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers while one is typing.a) Facts/Did you knowb) How it operatesIt can be installed through malware, rogue applications and by having physical access.Once installed, it records every key struck on that device.This recorded data can be stored on the local terminal or transferred to a remote server under the intruder’s control.A hacker may go through the captured data to sift out sensitive information like passwords; credit card numbers and so on.Some sophisticated keyloggers also capture screenshots of the user activities, audio recording, capturing clipboard contents, and so on.c) How to protect against thisUse reputable antivirus and anti-malware software and keep it updated.Implement multi-factor authentication for important accounts.Regularly scan your system for malware and potential keyloggers.Be cautious when downloading and installing software, especially from unknown sources.Use a password manager to auto-fill sensitive information instead of typing it.Be wary of phishing emails that might try to install keyloggers.Consider using endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions for enhanced protection.6. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) AttacksRisk Level: HighMan-in-the-Middle attacks are considered high-risk due to their potential to intercept and alter sensitive communications, often without either party’s knowledge.a) Stats/Did you knowb) How it worksThe attacker will place themselves between two communicators.They will then intercept the communication, usually at insecure Wi-Fi networks.By impersonating both parties, the attacker can lead each side to believe that they are genuinely communicating with the intended recipient.This way, the attacker can eavesdrop the communication, rephrasing or altering content before sending it over.Some widely used techniques to do so are ARP spoofing, DNS Spoofing and SSL stripping.c) How to protect against thisUsing nothing but HTTPS websites, especially for critical communicationsConfiguration and strict usage of Virtual Private NetworksUsing a strong encryption protocol for all network communications.Exercise a lot of caution on public Wi-Fi networks—do not log in to anything personal on them.Integrate certificate pinning in mobile applications to prevent SSL/TLS hijacking.Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) in organizations to monitor abnormal network behavior.7. Data BreachesRisk Level: Very HighData breaches are considered a very high-risk threat due to their potential to expose vast amounts of sensitive information, affecting millions of individuals and causing significant financial and reputational damage to organizations.a) Stats/Did you knowb) How it worksAttackers exploit vulnerabilities in security defenses of an organization.This would be done using various methods, such as hacking, malware, phishing, or insider threats.The attackers find and extract sensitive data after gaining access.Such data may contain personal information, financial data, or any other kind of proprietary business information.The traded information is usually sold on the dark web or used in subsequent attacks.c) How to protect against thisMake use of robust encryption of sensitive data.Update and patch all operating systems and software regularly.Implement multi-factor authentication across all accounts.Run regular security audits and penetration testing. Perform user training in general about best practices in cybersecurity and how possible threats might look.Limit access to sensitive information to those who need it. Be on the lookout for abnormal events occurring in your networks and user accounts. Unique and strong passwords for every account for people; a password manager is recommended.Periodically check if your information has been part of known breaches by using services such as Incogni.How a VPN Can Strengthen Your Online SecurityA Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a powerful tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, helping to mitigate several of the risks mentioned above. By encrypting your internet traffic and masking your IP address, a VPN adds an extra layer of protection to your online activities.Surfshark VPN, for instance, offers features that address multiple security concerns:Protection on Public Wi-Fi: When using unsecured public networks, a VPN encrypts your data, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your information.Malware and Phishing Protection: Some VPNs, including Surfshark, offer built-in features that block known malicious websites and phishing attempts.Prevention of Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: By encrypting your traffic, VPNs make it extremely difficult for attackers to position themselves between you and the websites you’re visiting.Data Breach Protection: While a VPN can’t prevent data breaches directly, features like Surfshark’s Alert can notify you if your personal information appears in known data leaks.Additional Security Features: Surfshark offers a CleanWeb feature that blocks all ads, including pop-ups. This makes browsing online much smoother and safer.Keep in mind, however, that cybersecurity isn’t a one-time act. It is a continuous process of keeping up with the latest threats and adapting security practices to changes in the threats, new technologies, and best practice evolutions alike. This is where tools like Surfshark VPN can play a crucial role, providing a constantly updated layer of protection for your online activities
