Everyone on the Internet stands the risk of being hacked. Devices are in constant communication with other devices, and that opens them up to risk.
The most common goal of hackers is to obtain personal information like your social security, bank details, etc. Being vigilant about potential hacks can be what saves you from losing thousands of dollars.
If you’re worried about a hack on your device(s), these are a few things to be on the lookout for:
#1 You notice more ads than usual.
Advertisement is a source of revenue for a lot of hackers over the Internet. After hacking into your device, they can leave an adware. These adwares alter your device to show more adverts.
Usually, the ads come as pop-ups. They will often redirect you to a different site from where you originally intended to go. Also, some of the sites can have NSFW content, which can be embarrassing in public.
#2 Your data usage is higher than normal.
Sometimes, the adware installed opens pages to generate clicks in the background. In these cases, the only way you’ll be able to notice it is if there’s a spike in your data usage.
If you haven’t made recent changes to your Internet habit, but you notice that your data runs out quicker than usual, you may have been hacked.
#3 Strange search results
Hackers can install malware which alters your search engine results. The purpose is usually to get more clicks through a link and make money from it. Common examples include being redirected to another language, a different search engine, or seeing strange links in your search engine results. If you notice this, delete any recently installed software you don’t recognize and scan your PC for viruses.
#4 Webcam coming on when you’re not using it
Spying on people via a webcam is another trademark move of hackers. The endgame is usually to blackmail the owner of the device. Take note of your webcam’s light acting strangely, especially when you’re connected to the Internet. A simple trick to avoid this is to cover your webcam with masking tape. If your webcam isn’t a built-in one, always disconnect it when it’s not in use.
#5 Unusual activities from your accounts
Hackers can sometimes use a person’s social media accounts to post malicious content. In some other cases, there have been reports of hackers using people’s emails to send fraudulent messages.
In most cases, when your email or social media accounts have been hacked, you can simply change your passwords to get rid of the hacker. If you use the same password on any other accounts, you should change it on those accounts, too.
You should note that while all of these signs can help you find out if you’ve been hacked, they may not work for corporate accounts and devices. Hackers that do it may have to consult with professionals like AIO Forensics.
If you think you’ve been hacked, it’s always best to take cautionary measures. When it comes to protecting your information, you’re better off safe than sorry.