A Guide to Staying Safe on the Internet

In this ever-expanding digital world, we are more susceptible to unforeseen security breaches by black hat hackers. When it comes to safety in the cyberspace, prevention is better than cure. Now, more than ever, we must remain vigilant of the evolving threats brought about by cunning and mischievous hackers.  

Who Are Black Hat Hackers?

With cybercriminals upping their hacking game, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with all the new types of hacking attacks. There are different types of hackers, which are classified according to the color of a hat: black hat, white hat, and gray hat. These hat colors are based on old Western movies, wherein protagonists would don a white hat while antagonists would wear a black hat. 

Among these hackers, the malicious hacker pertains to the black hat hacker. This type of hacker generally violates a computer’s security for personal gain – which is usually financial.

Whether they intend to steal confidential information or bring your servers down, black hat hackers pose a serious threat to any company. These criminals, in particular, disregard ethics and violate laws – giving them the name of the “malicious hacker”. 

How Do Black Hat Attackers Steal Your Data?

Black hat attackers have devised various means to steal your data: phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and SQL injections are some of the many modes of hacking.

Phishing refers to an attack wherein a hacker creates a convincing dupe of a website that aims to steal your personal information and credit card details. Usually, this method of hacking is done through e-mails. 

To steal confidential information, hackers make use of man-in-the-middle attacks – eavesdropping attack that occurs during conversation or data transfer. Hackers, for instance, may intercept a conversation and manipulate it to their favor by masquerading as both participants.

Unbeknownst to both of them, the attacker sends malicious links to both parties to retrieve personal data. Another popular hacking technique is SQL injection. It’s a web hacking attack in which a criminal interferes with a database query to gain access to the database of a vulnerable application or website.

This allows hackers to view private data, which they can sometimes modify,  resulting in a change in the website’s content. Take note that these are just the tip of the iceberg – black hat attackers are capable of a lot more.  

How Do You Stay Safe From Black Hat Hacker Attacks?

Now that you’re aware of what black hat hackers are capable of doing, a big question must be looming over your head: how does one stay safe from the threats of these black hat attackers? While it may seem like it would be impossible to keep yourself safe, all hope is not lost.

There are many protective measures you can take to stay protected from their attacks. Here’s how you can get started. 

Use The Latest Version of Web Browsers and Anti-Viruses 

For any computer application you use, it’s integral that you update it regularly to the latest version. In the case of web browsers, updating them isn’t necessary just for new and improved features – it’s also for security. Updated versions usually contain security fixes that were not addressed in previous versions.

Hence, skipping the regular update might do more harm to your computer than good. This same practice applies to anti-virus software as well. With new viruses sprouting on daily, updating your browsers and anti-virus software is one way to keep yourself shielded from black hat hacker attacks.

Exercise Caution When Connecting To Public Wi-Fi Networks

It cannot be stressed enough. Be careful when connecting your device to public Wi-Fi networks. These networks aren’t always necessarily secure – that’s why hackers can easily access any sensitive information that passes between you and the websites you visit to manage risks.

To stay safe from hackers, avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks to prevent hackers from getting in the way. Although the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) is usually recommended to keep your network secure, it sometimes doesn’t cut it anymore. With remote work gaining popularity, finding remote security software should protect you from the threats of hackers. 

Use Complex Passwords

For any account that you create, it’s wise to create passwords of high complexity. An ideal password would contain a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.

This is a good step in the right direction, but to truly keep your passwords safe from hackers, you must update your password regularly. Above everything else, do not share your password with anyone. 

Be Careful With Links

With phishing scams on the rise, many cybercriminals can create convincing duplicates of company websites. But, there are a few ways to check if an email is legitimate.

First, check if the email was sent from a public domain, such as @gmail.com. Hackers that purport to be a company can sometimes use the public domain for a phishing scam.

However, some attackers are quite clever and can slightly misspell official domain names. Though there is one thing that most phishing scams have in common – they display a sense of urgency.

For example, an email may tell you that you have to visit a link to avoid a penalty. So when suspicious emails arrive in your inbox, don’t forget to slow down and pause. Then, read the message carefully. 

Final Word

If you don’t want to be a victim of a black hat hacker attack, following these steps should be your top priority. As the number of hacking schemes increases, you must learn to be cautious of everything you interact with online. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to keeping safe from hackers – it’s a matter of using as many safety measures as you can.

Also published here.