This year, it seems like another day, another data breach. Every time you turn on the news there's mention of a company who's leaked your private data. These attacks aren't carried out by skilled computer hackers. They are carried out by cyber criminals who are using socially engineered AI-based attacks, to trick the employees who work at these companies. With all of the data breaches that have occurred over the years, there's a good chance your information is floating on the dark web or in the hands of criminals. When it comes to hacking, it's best to be proactive to make sure criminals aren't using your information for their purposes. Here's what you need to know:
How are criminals able to "hack" your information? In today's digital age, cybercrime is a human problem. 99% of all cyber attacks require human interaction. Rather than crooks trying to break into your devices by using traditional hacking methods, they resort to socially engineered attacks which are designed to use fear and deception to get you to click on links in emails and text messages as well as fall for voice cloning calls making you voluteer sensitive data. Criminals use these methods of attacks because every technology device you own is immune from a traditional hack as well as the devices used by large corporations. The methods crooks use to trick you into clicking on links and fooling you into giving up your personal information are the same methods they use to target corporations that hold your data. The other 1% of breaches come from the large corporations that leak your data to the web. In this AI age we live in, it's hard for anyone to resist socially engineered attacks. This is why it's important to build up your human firewall and ensure you're always taking steps to protect yourself and your data. For your personal devices, as long as you aren't clicking on unknown links in emails and giving your information out to strangers, you will stay safe. Your only weakness are companies who's employees are careless to emails and voice calls that trick them into giving out data.
What information do criminals want? When criminals launch large-scale socially engineered attacks against companies, they are after the following information:
Social Security numbers and government ID documents
Contact information, including email, addresses and phone numbers
Birthdates
Bank account numbers
Utility bills
Names of Relatives and other personal connections
Once criminals get access to your data, there are many things they can do with it. Cybercriminals can use personal data in various malicious ways:
Identity Theft: They can use your information to impersonate you, applying for loans, credit cards, or other financial services in your name1.
Phishing Attacks: With your details, they can craft convincing phishing emails or messages to trick you into revealing more sensitive information.
Selling Data: Personal data is often sold on the dark web to other criminals who may use it for various illegal activities.
Steal Your Social Media Accounts. Criminals steal social media accounts to launch sophisticated phishing attacks against your friends and followers.
Financial Fraud: They can access your bank accounts, make unauthorized transactions, or commit tax fraud.
Spamming and Scamming: Your data can be used to send spam emails or scam others by pretending to be you.
Data Manipulation: In some cases, cybercriminals might alter your data to cause harm or disrupt operations.
What can I do if I discover I've been hacked? Building up your human firewall is a very important step to keep your information safe in a breach. It's always important to change passwords and enable 2-factor authentication, but there are some other things you can do to stay safe. Here are some things you can do to stay protected.
Bank Hacking. If your bank account has been hacked, report it to your bank's fraud department and freeze the account. Then, immediately change your passwords and security questions. If you don't report the incident immediately, banks may not refund your money.
Social Media Attacks. If you can't log into your social media accounts because of a hack, there's nothing you can do. All social media platforms are run by AI, which means there's no human support to gain access to your account.
Computer Breaches. If you think you accidentally let a hacker into your computer, you should disconnect it from the internet. Then, turn off your computer and router immediately. After a few minutes, you can turn it on and look to see if malicious programs have been installed on it, and remove them. If the problem persists, consider performing a factory reset to remove all data and restore your phone to its original settings.
Smartphone Phone Hacks: Same as with your computer, turn off your smartphone and remove any malicious programs. If you're unable to fix any problems, consider doing a factory reset.
Be proactive with your credit. If you think you've been hacked, place a security freeze on your credit report with each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Here’s how:
Equifax: Visit Equifax.com and follow the steps to freeze online. By phone, call 1‑888‑298‑0045.
Experian: To do it online, visit the Experian Freeze Center. By phone, call 1‑888‑EXPERIAN (1‑888‑397‑3742),
TransUnion: Add a freeze online on the TransUnion website. Call 1‑888‑916‑8800.
Protect your Social Security number: To keep your Social Security number safe, use the government’s free Self Lock feature. You’ll need an E‑Verify account to do this online. You can also request a block by calling the Social Security Administration at 1‑800‑772‑1213.
If your Social Security number is stolen and used by crooks, like applying for a loan or getting a job, start with IdentityTheft.gov. Fill out the form there, and you’ll get an entire plan for how to recover your identity and protect yourself going forward.
Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you gain access to your Facebook account. If you enjoyed this post, let me know in the comments below. If you have any questions, please reach out via email or on social media. I'm always available.
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