“ An attempt to exploit a computer system or a private network inside a computer or unauthorized access to or control over a computer network security system for some illicit purpose” is Hacking.
Most of you might be wondering what the use of reading an article mentions how hackers hack accounts passwords when we already know how they do it, right? But what do you exactly know? How do hackers actually hack account passwords? Through the guessing game similar to the ones shown in the movies? Probably not. This is not the only way through which hackers hack your account password. There exist several other ways like phishing, keylogging, password spraying, etc.
Also, there’s no single hacker out there who’s doing this work; there is a team of them, working together, finding information from several sources, merging them, and then hacking an account if the information is matched. Want to know more about them? Want to know how to protect yourself from hacking in reality? For that, you’ll first have to understand how hackers hack your accounts passwords; only then can you avoid getting hacked. So, let’s see how hackers hack your account passwords.
How Do Hackers Get Hold of Your Account Passwords?
There exist various ways through which a hacker can get hold of our account passwords. These methods are sometimes even out of the commoner’s understanding. Let’s have a look at this method one by one:
Password reuse: Hackers start with a simple stage wherein they reuse the passwords from a leaked website. If hackers get hold of your email address, they can easily use this trick and crack your password.
Passwords from a data breach: Manier times, hackers hack big websites and use the website’s breached data.
Interception: If you’re connected to a public wifi connection, your username and password can be intercepted by hackers.
Saved Passwords: You guys remember you get a “remember me” checkbox every time you log in to a website? The computer or mobile will automatically store your password whenever you tick this checkbox. This, in theory, is supposed to be a safe option, but most of the time, with the help of the right tools and viruses, a hacker can extract this information.
Phishing: Hacker, most of the time, impersonates banks and other companies via emails, asking you to update your password due to a security incident. Hackers would mention a fake (but convincing) link in the email through which you can update your password. When you click on the given link, the hacker will then capture all your login details.
Shoulder surfing: Thia is the most basic method of all. Here, the hacker or thief sees you typing your password (mostly ATM pins).
Exploiting the password through the password reset process: Most of you might be aware that whenever one wants to reset their password, the process contains various options to answer a couple of questions that the user themselves have chosen answer. If these questions are simple and can be answered by anyone or can be googled, the hacker will easily hack your account using this method.
Fooling the website provider: A few smooth-talking criminals can fool the website provider by impersonating users and asking the website provider to access your account.
Social engineering: We, as humans, hold a natural desire to trust others and to be helpful. Hackers make use of this and trick people into revealing their account passwords, for example, by impersonating a company’s helpdesk or something.
Keyloggers: The most basic tool used to get hold of one’s password is Keyloggers. These keyloggers reside in your system memory and run at every startup. They log all of your keystrokes. A log is created out of this and is then sent to the hacker. Do you want to know how to protect yourself from hacking through this method? Just use an online virtual keyboard next time you type your password. You can also use a password manager in this case.
RAT: RemoteAdministration Tool or RAT is a tool through which a hacker can connect to your PC without your knowledge. Using this method, the hacker can see your PC screen, the sites you surf and can even copy your files to their computer without your knowledge. RAT also has the built-in functionality of a keylogger.
Trojan Horses: Trojan Horses are the most common types of malware. This malware enters your computer whenever you download any application or files or software from warez sites. Warez sites are the sites through which Trojan mostly spreads. You will get the software for free, and the site will pretend to be a harmless one, but in reality, it contains this harmful malware that will harm your computer. So, how to protect yourself from hacking through this method? Firstly, avoid downloading .apk files from untrusted sources as they can contain harmful malware. I will also encourage you to browse through secure resources only through which your data is encrypted. In this case, even if the hacker makes use of the sniffer to capture your data, decoding one’s password won’t be an easy job.
How To Protect Yourself From Hacking?
- Keep your security software up-to-date.
- Install antivirus and antimalware software.
- Disable connections when you aren’t using them.
- Create a strong PIN or passcode.
- Only install trusted applications.
- Keep your software up-to-date.
- Make use of password managers.
- Review your network and device names.
- Create unique passwords for all devices.
- Delete suspicious emails.
- Use secure devices to log into accounts.
- Create strong passwords.
- Use multi-factor authentication or 2FA on your accounts.
- Be cautious with “Remember me.”
- Sign up for account alerts.
- Have devices inspected now and then?
- Keep on changing your passwords.
- Monitor your financial accounts.
- If your account is hacked, inform others and ask them to take precautions.
- If anyone from your family or friends is hacked and if they’re not aware of it, inform them.
Wrap Up
Hackers are striving towards finding new ways to crack passwords since the day they’re were created. In this technologically advanced world, hackers have got a full arsenal of malicious weapons to access websites. Hackers have new ways through which they can hack your account’s password, but if you take proper security precautions, then hacking your account won’t be a piece of cake.
As you can see above, there are various ways through which a hacker can get hold of your account’s password, and each one of them has its own unique way to defend against it. You’ll also have to rely on the website provider on a few of them as they’re out of our control. In short, to be safe, you’ll have to take preventive measures. Make sure you enable all the security features that the app you’re using offers. You can also make use of password managers in this case. So this is how to protect yourself from hacking. I hope the article helped you.
