Cybersecurity – How to Protect Yourself from Hackers

The internet has become an essential part of our daily lives, but it also brings serious threats in the form of hacker attacks. Loss of personal data, identity theft, and financial losses are just some of the possible risks.

Whether you use the internet for work, learning, or entertainment, it’s important to know how to protect yourself from potential dangers.

How to Tell If You Might Be a Target of a Hacker Attack

A hacker attack isn’t always obvious—it can come with subtle signs that are easy to miss.

• Your device overheating for no apparent reason, even when you’re not using it heavily.
• Battery draining faster than usual, which could indicate unauthorized apps running in the background.
• Excessive pop-up ads appearing even when you’re not actively using the device or the screen is locked.
• New apps showing up on your device that you don’t recognize or remember installing.
• Unauthorized transactions or changes on your accounts or credit cards, as well as unusual alerts from your banks or services you use.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action and check your devices and accounts. Acting quickly can be crucial to preventing further damage.

So, the question is: how can you protect yourself and best prevent a hacker attack?

A Strong Password Is Your First Line of Defense

Your password is the key that unlocks access to your personal data. If that key is too simple—like “123456” or your birthdate—hackers can crack it in seconds. And if you use the same password for multiple accounts, compromising one gives them access to all the others.

What happens if hackers get hold of your password?

A weak password can give hackers access to your email, bank accounts, or social media profiles. They can steal your identity, monitor your messages, or even make transactions in your name.

How can you protect yourself?

• Create a password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (e.g., R3sult!2024)
• Use different passwords for each account
• Change your passwords every three to six months
• If you struggle to remember them all, use a password manager like LastPass or Dashlane (make sure to choose a reputable one)

Don’t Open Spam Emails

Phishing attacks are among the most common forms of hacker scams. Over time, inbox filters have become quite advanced and are generally good at detecting spam. However, hackers have also become more sophisticated. Spam messages no longer look obviously suspicious—they now use psychological tricks to appear much more convincing.

Scammers may send emails that look like they’re from trusted sources (such as your bank or a well-known company), but their real goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link.

What Can Happen If You Open a Spam Email?

By clicking on a malicious link, you might unknowingly install malware on your device or reveal sensitive information such as your username and password. This can lead to identity theft—or even result in your computer being completely locked, with hackers demanding a ransom to unlock it (ransomware).

How to Protect Yourself

• Check the sender’s email address—sometimes even a small detail (like bank@secure-b4nk.com) can reveal a scam.
• Be cautious with emails containing urgent messages such as “Your account will be blocked”—this is often a red flag.
• Never click on links or open attachments from unknown sources. When in doubt, contact the company directly to verify the message.
• Install anti-phishing software on your device for an extra layer of protection.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi

This tip might seem obvious at first, but you’d be surprised how many people check their bank accounts or make credit card purchases while connected to public Wi-Fi.

Whether you’re at the airport or a local café, always keep in mind that public Wi-Fi is highly insecure and vulnerable to hacking.

Our advice: avoid making any purchases over such networks, and steer clear of apps that contain personal or financial information. Also, if you’re not actively using Bluetooth, turn it off—when left on and idle, it can often give hackers a “back door” into your device.

Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Your Wi-Fi network is like the front door to your digital home—if it’s not locked, anyone can walk in. An unsecured or weak network makes it easy for hackers to access your devices, monitor your internet traffic, or even steal your data.

How to protect it:

• Set a strong, non-obvious Wi-Fi password (avoid “12345678” or using your network name as the password)
• Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption
• Disable “Guest Access” if you’re not using it
• Change your router password regularly and keep an eye on which devices are connected to your network

Protect Your Social Media Accounts

Social media is a goldmine for hackers. Details like your birthdate, pet’s name, or home address are often used to answer security questions—or even to steal your identity. Hackers can create fake profiles in your name, use your data for phishing attacks, or sell it on the dark web.

How to protect yourself:

• Set your profiles to private so only friends can see your posts
• Avoid oversharing personal information, such as your exact location or travel plans
• Regularly review the privacy settings on your accounts

A hacking incident can have serious consequences, but with the right awareness and practical habits, you can greatly reduce the risk. Be mindful of what you share—your personal data is more valuable than you might think.