Miscellaneous 3 min. read

The Most Common Attack Vectors Used By Cybercrooks Today

The Most Common Attack Vectors Used By Cybercrooks Today

As technology develops further and tools for connectivity become more efficient in their use and operation, it also becomes easier for hackers and cyber criminals to disrupt our devices. With so many of us reliant on our phones, laptops, and other devices, we have multiple ways to access important tools and information – and multiple personal security vulnerabilities as well.

An important part of keeping these devices (and yourself) safe is to learn the possible ways that cyber criminals can infiltrate and use your devices to their own means. These are called attack vectors: places where vulnerability is at its highest when technology is concerned, or when a collection of factors make security far easier to breach. This can be mitigated somewhat by using programs like internet security VPNs, but it’s important to take initiative of your own as well.

While there are normally plenty of ways that hackers can use to gain access to your information, there are only three areas that hackers can exploit to their fullest advantage:

Applications

Applications are often the first things that people use with their devices – and as a result, the first things that are infected with malware. While there are hackers that mess with the inherent code of legitimate software to produce such a result, there are some programs out there that are inherently designed to infect your computer.

These attacks can be detected and prevented by investing in good malware security and antivirus programs. These scan all your applications before, during, and after their installation to ensure the maximum security for your devices.

Internet

With application use comes internet usage – yet another common place for hackers and cyber criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in your security. As the net exchanges data from servers around the world to your own system or device, these parties can potentially upload harmful viruses and programs while you do so, compromising your system. Even worse scenarios hold your files for literal ransom, inserting your computer with ransomware that will delete all your files unless a fee is paid.

These can be stopped by limiting access to your files and system by employing real-time virus and internet scanning software, or staying away from sites that your browser has flagged unsafe.

People

Finally, a less obvious (though possibly the most vulnerable) aspect of technology is the person using it. While we may not be as vulnerable to computer viruses and malware as our devices are, manipulation and trickery are a different story altogether. Some hackers have gotten creative with regard to how to exploit personal details, which makes it more tricky to defend oneself against such attacks.

People need to be more aware about their potential dealings to combat this kind of attack. Who they talk to, how they act online and what they share could potentially hand any cyber criminals keys or clues to their files and systems. Constant vigilance is the best tool to prevent such a scenario from happening.

Those are some of the most common ways cyber criminals can get into your systems – and sometimes, into your head. While you aren’t completely defenseless,  there is no guarantee that you’ll never be attacked. Taking the necessary steps and precautions will go a long way in keeping yourself safe.

Hotspot Shield uses the latest developments in malware security and internet security to keep you and your devices safe. No only is it free, but it also offers other features such as internet VPNs to make sure your browsing is private and safe.

Download Hotspot Shield today, or visit our website to learn more about the program and what it offers. For more features like this, you may read through all our blogs here.

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