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1. Cybersecurity Resources
2. Tips/Articles
3. The Dangers of Hacking and What a Hacker Can Do to Your Computer
The Dangers of Hacking
and What a Hacker Can Do
to Your Computer
How Hackers Operate and How to Protect
Yourself
People, not computers, create computer threats. Computer predators victimize others for their
own gain. Give a predator access to the Internet — and to your PC — and the threat they pose to
your security increases exponentially. Computer hackers are unauthorized users who break into
computer systems in order to steal, change or destroy information, often by installing dangerous
malware without your knowledge or consent. Their clever tactics and detailed technical
knowledge help them access the information you really don’t want them to have.
Evaluating cybersecurity for your home or business? See how 1,600+ IT
pros rank all the top competitors against key performance metrics.
How can hackers find me?
Anyone who uses a computer connected to the Internet is susceptible to the threats that computer
hackers and online predators pose. These online villains typically use phishing scams, spam
email or instant messages and bogus websites to deliver dangerous malware to your computer
and compromise your computer security.
Computer hackers can also try to access your computer and private information directly if you
are not protected by a firewall. They can monitor your conversations or peruse the back-end of
your personal website. Usually disguised with a bogus identity, predators can lure you into
revealing sensitive personal and financial information, or much worse.
What are things that a hacker can do to me?
While your computer is connected to the Internet, the malware a hacker has installed on your PC
quietly transmits your personal and financial information without your knowledge or consent.
Or, a computer predator may pounce on the private information you unwittingly revealed. In
either case, they will be able to:
Hijack your usernames and passwords
Steal your money and open credit card and bank accounts in your name
Ruin your credit
Request new account Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or additional credit cards
Make purchases
Add themselves or an alias that they control as an authorized user so it’s easier to use
your credit
Obtain cash advances
Use and abuse your Social Security number
Sell your information to other parties who will use it for illicit or illegal purposes
Predators who stalk people while online can pose a serious physical threat. Using extreme
caution when agreeing to meet an online “friend” or acquaintance in person is always the best
way to keep safe.
How will I know if I've been hacked?
Check the accuracy of your personal accounts, credit cards, and documents. Are there
unexplained transactions? Questionable or unauthorized changes? If so, dangerous malware
installed by predators or hackers may already be lurking.
What can I do about computer hackers and
predators?
When you arm yourself with information and resources, you’re wiser about computer security
threats and less vulnerable to threat tactics. Hackers and predators pose equally serious and but
very different threats.
Protect yourself while online
Continually check the accuracy of personal accounts and deal with any discrepancies
right away
Use extreme caution when entering chat rooms or posting personal Web pages
Limit the personal information you post on a personal Web pages
Carefully monitor requests by online “friends” or acquaintances for predatory behavior
Keep personal and financial information out of online conversations
Use extreme caution when agreeing to meet an online “friend” or acquaintance in person
Security Tips to Prevent Hacking
Use a 2-way firewall
Update your operating system regularly
Increase your browser security settings
Avoid questionable Web sites
Only download software from sites you trust. Carefully evaluate free software and file-
sharing applications before downloading them.
Practice safe email and virus/malware protocols
Don't open messages from unknown senders
Immediately delete messages you suspect to be spam
Make sure that you have the best security software products installed on your PC:
Use antivirus protection
Get antispyware software protection
Guard Yourself Against Dangerous
Online Threats
An unprotected computer is like an open door for computer hackers and predators. To take it a
step further, protect your computer from hackers by using a spam filter or gateway to scan
inbound email or instant messages. Products like Webroot AntiVirus and Webroot Internet
Security Complete thwart dangerous malware before it can enter your PC, stand guard at every
possible entrance of your computer and fend off any spyware or viruses that try to enter, even the
most damaging and devious strains. While free anti-spyware and antivirus downloads are
available, they just can’t keep up with the continuous onslaught of new malware strains.
Previously undetected forms of malware can often do the most damage, so it’s critical to have
up-to-the-minute, guaranteed protection.
Webroot offers complete, cloud-based protection from viruses and identity theft for all your
devices, without slowing you down. Click the link to learn more about all of our internet security
solutions for the home.
Find the right cybersecurity solution for you.
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