by Noah Safeer, staff writer
During the past few years, there have been many cases of accounts stolen and information compromised. Hacking occurs when unauthorized data in a network or system is manipulated by outside individuals. Hacking affects anyone who uses the Internet or has an account so basically everyone.
Some people might hack websites simply just for fun or practice. Other hackers may have the intention of stealing information or large amounts of money from someone. There are even hackers that just hack to shut down a system or change the outcome of a poll.
Preventing hacking is a very complex issue because security specialists must get every detail right about the security of a network while the hackers must only find one tiny part that is not protected. While cybersecurity specialists continue to develop new methods of preventing hackers, hackers themselves are also finding new ways to breach firewalls and accomplish their objective.
Many people have many devices that you use everyday like your phone, gaming console, computer, and many more things. Each of these individual devices can be hacked. The social network apps on your phone get hacked pretty frequently so be sure to keep personal information and important data secure.
Email accounts can be hacked through phishing scams, tricks to make a person give out personal information. An example of a phishing scam would be an email sent out by what looks to be your financial advisor but is actually a hacker. This hacker may send a link that directs you to a virus where your information will then be stolen.
Gaming consoles can be hacked in order to shut down or beat a game. Even microphones and cameras can be hacked! Many different electronics, networks, and systems may be hacked and that’s why it’s important to be aware of how you can protect yourself.
Some key ways to keep your information private and safe is to have a strong password. A stronger password will take longer for a hacker to find out. Some characteristics of strong passwords are uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, long length, and symbols.
Never put extremely personal data on the internet. Also, make sure to update the latest software and install security software on your devices. This is a proactive choice that will ensure secure data before you are hacked.
In general, use common sense to avoid the dangerous risks of hacking. Use secure wifi networks and stay away from things on the internet that appear unsafe. If you are on an open wifi network, it will be easy for hackers to steal data.
Cybersecurity affects people’s everyday life. Networking and cyber security are valuable skills to understand. Taking courses on this topic can be beneficial to anybody. Cybersecurity offers many jobs and internships during high school and college.
The salary for cyber security jobs is significant compared to the average job. Companies as well as the government are in high demand for people with this knowledge. Protecting your data and being aware of potential risks will be beneficial in the future.