Based on the age that is upon us right now, virtually everything has now been digitized. Almost everyone has a digital account protected by two or more credentials. Not only have we resolved to online education because of the pandemic but even financial dealings have completely been digitized from cryptocurrency to online banking. Do you even know what your bank’s banking hall looks like? Well, I don’t because I can’t even remember when last I had to enter a banking hall. Guess what? I just opened an account with another bank.
All these conveniences have exposed us to the penetration of cybercriminals. Cybercriminals are not just interested in breaking into your digital accounts; identity theft, fraud, snooping is also part of their interests. It is therefore very important that users protect themselves from events.
Here are the major threats to your cyber credentials:
Phishing
This one of the most popular and the easiest attacks. It ranges from text messages to emails and even calls. A phishing attack is not that technically demanding because it tends to appeal to your emotional and psychological level than your technical know-how.
It tricks you into revealing important details about you including security questions and your password. It does not involve any form of traditional hacking just convincing, pretense, and social engineering.
It can be in the form of text messages, calls, or emails with the sender’s ID spoofed or manipulated to appear to be coming from someone else. Some can assume your account officer, Manager, or even business associate and make an urgent demand for your log in details, card details, or whatever their target is.
Another phishing strategy is to lure you into visiting a cloned website or a fraudulent form to access your login credentials. Although the website or form would look like the real one the URL tends to be the ultimate giveaway. What happens is that once you input your details on such forms or websites, you deliver your credentials straight into the arms of these criminals.
Dictionary attack
This is an attack based on guesswork. It happens when someone tries to access your account or digital space with permission by guessing their way through. This means the next time you try to guess your friend’s, colleagues’ or partner's password; you know you can be jailed lol.
With a dictionary attack, various hacking tools can be used in order to succeed. These tools are pre-loaded with commonly used word strings combinations.
For instance, if your password is “bookworm”, a hacker via dictionary attack would not have to sweat much to get this cracked. Dictionary attack does not attempt every character combination in existence, just words that people tend to use as their passwords as such, it doesn’t take much time to complete the possibility cycle.
Here is the good news, if your password is hard enough to guess; you are safe.
Brute force
This involves a certain level of technical know-how. This attack requires that the hacker goes through all the possible character combinations until a correct password is reached. This kind of attack is much slower and less optimized thank and therefore take a longer period of time. The other side of it is that if the password is short, then the combination would be reached in no time.
As a user, one of your first steps to prevent brute force attacks is making use of a longer password. You can also make use of plugins or commands that puts a limit on login an attempt for the same IP.
You can protect your password
One of the potent ways to protect your password is Vigilance. This in fact is the only way to prevent phishing attacks. Always ask questions, double-check email addresses, URLs, and don’t just follow instructions; be convinced.
Be assured that your account officer would not ask you for your log in details, ATM passwords, or numbers, they can access whatever is needed themselves.
I want to believe everyone has footprints, yes digital footprints. There is a way I construct my sentences which is completely different from someone else’s otherwise feel free to ask questions; your boss, partner, or associate would not hold it against you.
As mentioned earlier, to prevent brute and dictionary attack, make use of long and robust passwords. Ensure your passwords cut across letters, numbers, and symbols. The longer the better. What more, you can even get a password manager.
2FA tools like google authentication and SMS authentication or biometric fingerprints and patterns can be absolutely useful. Guard your digital credentials well.
And don’t forget to activate it on your apps too. You can protect your password manager much better if you enable biometric fingerprint or facial recognition authentication.
If you activate the former, a hacker would have to force your finger onto the scanner to get through. Getting your password from a brute force or dictionary attack wouldn’t be enough.
These principles, though a little basic, I assure you would go a long way towards protecting your account attacks, and since they are not hard to implement, you have no excuse not to apply what you have learned.
Author
Alabi Olusayo
A calm, calculative, and easy-going individual with the ability to perform excellently in any position of intellect. A web designer/ developer, Digital Marketer, Brand Manager, Content developer, and Affiliate Manager. He is more of a listener than a talker with the passion for and to do things of God.
I find myself contented with Godly and goodly blessings with relentless efforts towards fulfilling purpose.
