What Hackers Can Do To Your Computer? The Dangers of Hacking

Computer threats are created by people, not computers. Computer predators are those who exploit others to their advantage. The threat to your security is exponentially increased if you allow a predator to access the Internet and your computer. Computer hackers are unauthorized users who hack into computers to steal, modify or destroy information. They often install dangerous malware without your knowledge or consent. They can access information that is very personal to you. Their sophisticated techniques and technical expertise allow them to do this.

How do hackers find us?

Computer hackers and online predators are a threat to anyone who connects to the Internet. These online criminals use phishing schemes, instant messages or spam email to send dangerous malware directly to your computer. This can compromise your computer security.

Hackers can access your computer and private data if you don’t have a firewall. They can listen in on your conversations and access your website’s back-end. Predators often disguise themselves as someone you know to lure you into disclosing sensitive financial and personal information.

What can a hacker do for me?

The malware that a hacker installed on your computer quietly transmits your financial and personal information to anyone connected to the Internet. A computer predator could also steal the private information that you have unwittingly disclosed. They will be able:

• Hack your passwords and usernames
• Steal your money, open bank, and credit card accounts in your name
• Ruin your credit
• Request a new account or additional credit card Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).
• Make unauthorized Purchases
• To make it easier to use your credit, add yourself or an alias, they control to the list of authorized users
• Get Cash advances
• They can abuse your Social Security Number
• Sell your information to anyone who might use it for illegal or illicit purposes.

Online stalkers can pose a grave threat to your health. It is best to be cautious when meeting an online friend or acquaintance in person.

How can I tell if I have been hacked?

Verify the accuracy of personal accounts, credit cards, and other documents. Are there any unaccounted transactions? Questionable or unauthorized changes? This could be due to malicious malware that hackers or predators installed.

What can I do to stop computer hackers and other predators?

The more knowledgeable you are about security threats, the less likely you will fall for extortion. Both hackers and predators pose serious threats, but they are very different.

Online security: Take precautions

• Continue to check the accuracy of your personal accounts, and immediately address any discrepancies
• Be careful when you enter chat rooms or post personal Web pages.
• Limit the amount of personal information that you post to personal Web pages
• For predatory behavior, carefully monitor online “friends” and acquaintances.
• Online conversations should not contain financial and personal information.
• Be cautious when meeting an online friend or acquaintance in person.

Security Tips to Prevent Hacking

• Use a 2-way firewall.
• Regularly update your operating system.
• Increase the security settings of your browser
• Avoid questionable Web sites.
• Only trust sites that you download software. Before downloading any free software or file-sharing apps, please carefully review them.

Use safe email and virus/malware protocols.

• Do not open messages from unknown senders.
• Spam messages should be deleted immediately.
• You should ensure that your computer has the most effective security software.
• Protect yourself with antivirus
• Antispyware protection software