Hackers operate around the world and range from complex groups targeting major banking chains and corporations to politically-motivated organisations targeting government websites and sensitive information. High net-worth individuals are also very much at risk for their personal, and particularly financial data.
The scale of hacking on a global basis is mind boggling: consider that 600 000 Facebook accounts are hacked each day, that in one year alone, some $1 trillion in intellectual property was hacked and stolen worldwide and that, in 2012, 90% of businesses suffered some sort of computer hacking event.
If hackers gain access to your computer through malicious software, they can cause untold problems by obtaining your saved personal information and using your email address for spamming, spreading viruses, phishing and other harmful activities.
Follow these guidelines to up your level of personal security on the web:
- Never click on a link in an email that takes you to another website. If you do, never enter your personal details either in the email or on the website.
- Use up-to-date antivirus software and Personal Firewall Protection
- Avoid using internet café’s or computers that are available for use by the general public; they may have spyware installed on them to capture your login credentials without your knowledge.
- Place sensible limits on your accounts and review them regularly.
- Close any email or social media accounts you don’t use. Unused accounts are prime targets for hackers.
- Create passwords that are difficult to guess.
Did you know?
3 3 in 4people use the same password for multiple accounts.
Password was the most common password of 2012, followed by 123456, 12345678, abc123 and qwerty.
92%of the top 100 paid apps on iOS have been hacked.
100%of the top 100 paid apps on Android have been hacked.
10 minutesis the amount of time it takes a hacker to guess a password comprising six lowercase letters. It takes 23 days for a hacker to guess a password made up of seven lowercase and uppercase letters and 463 years for a password comprising eight lowercase, uppercase, numbers and symbols.
Statistics: Cloud Computing
Source: Standard Bank
Andries Maree
Email: Andries.Maree@4Sure.co.za
