Note To Miley: 5 Ways To Keep Your Privates Private (PHOTOS)
(Miley Cyrus, Scarlett Johansson and Vanessa Hudgens, three of 50 female celebrities targeted by hackers)
You don’t have to be a celebrity in order for hackers to get you. All you need is a phone, tablet or computer, an email address and a bank account, things that the 50 celebrities who were hacked recently, have in common with you.
So how do you protect yourself so you do not end up like Vanessa Hudgins and others?
Hackers have at their disposal technology and common sense, things we sometimes lack when dealing with our iPhones and tablets. They use tech to scan passwords for the wifi in your apartment building, tech to scan your phone in the club, and common sense to guess your password if any public information on your life can be found online. Information like the name of your first pet or the town where you were born or the default password for your router which is usually 123.
Called Wardriving, it’s the most common process for gaining information using dictionaries that store alphabetical and numerical passwords. These dictionaries compare and contrast existing passwords with your own, so hackers can crack your system. Read ahead to find out how not to get hacked.
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1. Dump Internet Explorer
Internet explorer is the default browser for hackers because it is an easy target for spyware, malware and viruses. Use Firefox, Opera, Safari or Chrome instead. These browsers have software within them that can block all of the above and can allow you to surf anonymously.
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2. Juice up your browser with Add-Ons
Add-Ons to Firefox and Chrome are like tiny midgets protecting you. They block pop-ups and deter phising, a process associated with credit card info stored on your device. Google ToolBar and e-Bay ToolBar are good Add-Ons to have for your browser.
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3. Become paranoid
Do not open or click a link in any email you do not recognize because hackers could be phising, and a link could download viruses and spyware. Know what? Just start writing telegrams again.
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4.Defend your webmail
Hundreds of millions of people use web based mail and often their email addresses are tied to multiple online accounts. Two months ago after Gawker was compromised, sites like Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook and Gmail notified and suggested users change their passwords. You should do the same every 6 months.
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5. Rotate your credit cards/PayPal account
Let’s be real: if you own a credit card and you shop online, it’s very likely you will be hacked. If you have a PayPal account, you will get a fake email asking you to change your password. This is a trap and it’s as inevitable as Tuesday coming after Monday. To avoid a credit card/online payment hack, limit your online purchases to one credit card only, and make sure there is a daily limit attached to the card otherwise you will be screwed. If you’re gonna get hacked, at least only one card will be hit.
