Tag Archive for: Tips

7 tips from Kaspersky on what to do if someone tries to hack you

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In today’s connected world, it is a matter of when rather than if you will experience someone trying to hack you. With cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated in their attempts, it is possible that at some point or another, you may interact with a scammer or click on a phishing link. Kaspersky experts share several tips on what steps you should take to avoid being hacked when you notice potentially suspicious activity.

Do not give any more information

This is the most important rule. If something feels ‘off’ about a website you are led to after clicking a link, asking for your name, email, phone number, or bank card information, close it immediately. If you are talking to someone on the phone, and the conversation seems even just a little strange, hang up immediately and do not answer if they call back. And if you are communicating through video conferencing tools, end the meeting and close the application.

Disconnect your device from the Internet

This is essential if you have installed any applications at someone’s request, or someone’s done something on your computer using remote control tools. If this has happened, chances are that malware has been installed on your computer or smartphone. To prevent cybercriminals from controlling your device remotely, disconnect the device from the Internet by turning off Wi-Fi and your mobile data or unplug the ethernet cable of your computer. See Step 6 below for further actions.

Put yourself in the hacker’s shoes

If you already have visited a suspicious website or talked on the phone, try to remember any information you entered on the site or shared with the caller. Address and name? Phone number? Bank card number? Password or security code received in SMS? If you only shared your name, address, and phone number, no further action is required. Unfortunately, the situation is worse if you have shared more sensitive information, such as passwords, photos of personal documents, or banking information. If this has happened, follow Steps 4 and 5 as outlined below.

Change your passwords

You must regularly change the passwords to all your accounts. However, when you have interacted with a hacker, it is vital to quickly…

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Hackers out to get you? Here’s 5 tips to stay ahead

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“In today’s connected world, it is a matter of when rather than if you will experience someone trying to hack you.” – Cybersecurity experts.

Your mobile gadgets may be your pride and joy, but for cybercriminals, they’re gold-in-transit.

Truth is, technology has simplified our lives, making it easy to communicate with people from all corners of the globe, but it has also left us vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Think about it, your cell phone contains nearly every detail of your life – your pictures, personal information, and even your banking credentials.

Having control of your admin at your fingertips may be convenient, but guess who else appreciates the ease of access – the guy on the world-wide-web eagerly waiting for a chance to pounce.

ALSO READ: How the ‘get to know me’ social media challenge could end in tears

‘It’s only a matter of time’

“In today’s connected world, it is a matter of when rather than if you will experience someone trying to hack you.

“With cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated in their attempts, it is possible that at some point or another you may interact with a scammer or click on a phishing link,” said Kaspersky, a cybersecurity firm.

Since we’ve reached the point of no return when it comes to the use of technology, the only option available is to beef up our online security.

Kaspersky shared useful tips to apply as you navigate your way in the digital era.

Don’t give any more information

Cell phone usage has become somewhat a thoughtless exercise, with users paying less attention as they scroll on the Internet.

Kaspersky cautioned Internet users against giving away their information online.

“If something feels ‘off’ about a website you are led to after clicking a link, asking for your name, email, phone number, or bank card information, close it immediately.”

Criminals have also been increasingly attempting to scam people via phone calls, often asking for personal information.

“If you are talking to someone on the phone, and the conversation seems even just a little strange, hang up immediately and do not answer if they call back.

“And if you…

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Kaspersky Unveils 5 Tips for a Flawless Cleanup – IT News Africa

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As life returns to normal post the festive season break, now is the optimal time to conduct much-needed cleaning of your digital footprint. This not only provides a ‘fresh’ start to the year but also enhances productivity.

Here are 5 tips from Kaspersky experts to boost your digital hygiene:

1. Delete Unnecessary Files:

Start by cleaning up your desktop, removing shortcuts and folders you no longer need. Subsequently, eliminate unnecessary files accumulated while surfing the internet, such as those in the downloads folder. Utilize the performance tab of an Internet security app, like Kaspersky, to identify and remove large files, duplicates, and temporary files. Afterward, ensure to empty the Recycle Bin.

2. Clean Up Your Email and Messengers:

Begin by unsubscribing from newsletters you never read. Delete old emails, especially those left unread for extended periods. Declutter messenger chats irrelevant to your job or personal life, and clear out the spam folder weekly. Always verify the URL when unsubscribing from email messages to prevent potential phishing attacks.

3. Uninstall Unused Applications:

Whether on your smartphone or laptop, uninstall apps you haven’t used in a long time. Start by deleting one unused app per day to free up storage space, memory, and mitigate potential security risks posed by outdated apps.

4. Turn Off Unnecessary Notifications:

Manage the overwhelming number of digital notifications by identifying and disabling notifications from apps that abuse them. Many devices offer a focus mode that temporarily disables notifications during specific tasks or activities.

5. Check Your Passwords:

Address the common practice of using the same password for multiple accounts by adopting good password management practices. Use tools like Kaspersky Password Manager to identify unsafe passwords, create secure and unique ones using random generators, and store them in encrypted form across all your devices.

Brandon Muller, Technical Expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky, emphasizes the importance of incorporating cyber hygiene into everyday routines and using reliable security solutions like Kaspersky Premium to enhance online security and…

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Essential Email and Internet Safety Tips for College Students

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Your email is one of the most important digital assets and identities because it helps you create accounts on other platforms. It is also the central internet communication tool in academic institutions and colleges. According to an analysis by Sprinto, cyber attacks in educational institutions rose by 75% in the last year. Keeping your emails away from hackers will reduce your threat exposure on many other digital platforms, adding a layer of security in the face of surging cyber attacks.

Securing your email requires you to pay attention to your passwords, gadgets, and the links you engage with. The places you share the email will also either expose you or keep you away from danger. Here are critical email safety insights every student should consider when in college and beyond. But why are college students frequently targeted by identity thieves?

Why are College Students Frequently Targeted by Identity Thieves?

College represents a perfect storm for cybercriminals. Students juggle countless logins across sites and apps. Most use one or two gadgets for everything. From social to financial accounts, it’s all there. That spells out vulnerability.

Many also embrace info-sharing in this always-on era. Digital oversharing, though, hands data to hackers. Details like addresses, numbers, security answers—a fraudster’s dream.

There’s perception too. Cybercrooks assume students have casual security. Weak vigilance or underusing protections like two-factor authentication, for example. So students appear to be an easy bullseye.

The sheer volume doesn’t help either. Colleges have tens of thousands of potential targets all in one place. For identity thieves, it’s open season on campus.

PowerDMARC’s report on the state of email authentication adoption found that 48.1% of the analyzed .edu domains were not protected against email abuse. Furthermore, 26.4% of the analyzed .edu domains didn’t even have preliminary authentication protocols like SPF implemented. This proved that several well-known organizations in academia still lack basic defenses against email impersonation and abuse, reiterating the need for email safety awareness among educational…

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