Hello fellow hacker,
It is already been a month since my last article? This time we have a serious talk that we need to have. Just like last time, we need to talk real, we need to talk security!
What is security for you? Why do you think, you need to behave securely while browsing the internet? After all, this isn't the real world right? The internet is simply a network of interconnected computers which have absolutely no effects on our lives. Who would want to take over your Facebook account with all your personal pictures right? I think more ways than not a hacker could benefit from hacking your Facebook, let me explain why.
The internet of today is nothing like the internet back in the 90s. These days, everything is connected to the network. Banks, Schools, Shops, Industries; everything is inter-connected these days. We work from home, we shop online, we communicate with loved ones, we entertain ourselves; the options are pretty much endless. As our usage of the network grows, the number of people preying on those with less understanding of the very complex world of computers. We have to change our behaviour online, since we changed our we use the network. Sure you may have nothing to "hide", however your computers and accounts could be used without your knowledge to infect and fool other people. While you may not be personally held responsible for these crimes, you still have to secure your assets. Your account provider could legally close your accounts since the hackers would likely break the law under your name.
Password needs to have a certain complexity if you absolutely have to use them, but make sure to enable multi factor authentication (MFA/2FA). While MFA might not save you from a RCE, it will at least make sure that if somebody hacks your account they will need a second authentication method. Even if your passwords are complex, you need to change them once in a while and make sure you never reuse a password. A good way to meet this is by using a password manager like LassPass and BitWarden.
Another good practice is to make sure your system is up to date, by updating your system (phone, laptop, desktop, etc.) you make sure that the latest known vulnerabilities that have been fixed are applied to your system. Giving you a very good chance against an attack that would try to compromise your system.
You should also question every link you think about clicking on, whether you click on it or not. I wouldn't click for example on a link sent by someone I don't know via instant messaging services, but not limited to, like Discord or IRC. Sometimes it really is all you need to do to have your computer and accounts taken over. Email is also a very good way for attackers to try and get your trust in whatever way it takes. They will spoof your Internet Provider's email and have you click on some link to takeover your account, a technique called phishing. According to experts, over 90% of the data breaches involve phishing, this is why you have to be extra careful with emails. When in doubt, navigate to the company's website, get their contact information and reach out to them in order to validate the email you gotten.
Most of the time, security is common sense, but you still have to know what to lookout for. Long gone are the days when you will get a email written with a very broken english to try to lure you into a scam. These days, the bad guys are sophisticated, they use legal sites that likely allows them to be anonymous via different techniques, and they can potentially steal all your savings. If you think you might be lured into a scam or hack, don't be shy, seek out the help of experts like me who can help you. We are all humans, we all make mistakes. The longer you wait however, the more damage the attacker can do, whether that be a hack or a scam.
If you aren't sure about something on the computer or online. Ask for help, we all did it at some point, and you might potentially spare yourself from having a very bad time. These bad guys, they don't screw around, they know what they are doing, and they just need you to do that one mistake. Keep in mind that your security might also affect the security of others. It isn't always a matter of whose Facebook account gets hacked, but yours might get hacked in an attempt to send a link to one of your close friend and maybe takeover that person's workplace with a ransomware. That would sure put you in an awkward position. This is why this whole security thing is really important for everybody, not only those who have something loose, or something to hide.
Keep it safe!
-cyco
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