Have you ever wondered how people get hacked and what drives these cyber criminals?
One of the serious cyber threats to look out for is hacking - the act of gaining unauthorized access to our devices, personal accounts or networks. Hackers use their knowledge of computer systems, software, and security weaknesses to bypass defenses and gain access to our devices.
Many hacking attempts occur through scams, where scammers try to trick victims into providing passwords or installing harmful software.
This skill is also applied in cybersecurity to find and fix security flaws, as well as to infiltrate criminal networks to solve crimes or detect threats to public or national security. However, hacking is mostly known as an illegal and malicious act that involves stealing data, spreading viruses, or disrupting systems.
Many hacking attempts occur through scams, where scammers try to trick victims into providing passwords or installing harmful software. Doing this is essentially the same thing as handing our house keys to thieves believing they are the plumber or local policeman.
How do hackers trick us?
You might have noticed that the spam folder in your email or social media regularly contains messages from fake profiles offering money, lottery winnings, or “great deals” in exchange for personal details or by clicking a suspicious link.
Even adults with online experience who know what to watch out for can fall victim to these cybercriminals.
This is something we need to prepare not only our kids for, but also ourselves. Adults must stay vigilant to avoid falling into the traps set by scammers and hackers with harmful intentions. Their tricks can sometimes be difficult to detect. Even adults with online experience who know what to watch out for can fall victim to these cybercriminals.
Hackers continuously refine their methods and develop new ways to trick people. Their attempts to infiltrate your digital world can vary, depending on whether the target is our office computer or our child's social media or gaming account.
Why do they do it?
The motivations behind these attempts to access accounts or devices are often financial, such as stealing money or blackmailing. Hackers may also aim to sabotage or damage networks, or steal victims’ identities to facilitate further scams or fraud. Other hacking attempts might be carried out by predators or stalkers seeking to access cameras or photos on a victim’s device to spy on them.
Having our online world or identity attacked or stolen can be a devastating experience, comparable to a violation or attack in the physical world. Many people grieve the financial loss, the loss of content, virtual belongings, or privacy, and may worry about their reputation or safety.
Often, victims - whether young or old - feel shame or guilt for falling into these traps. However, the truth is that this can happen to anyone, and it frequently does.
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Getting help
On our site you will find more information about the most common hacking activities and how to handle them. We’ve also gathered some of the best advice to help you avoid these traps and equip you with tools to support your child if they find themselves in this situation. Children and young people especially will not only need practical help in this situation but also emotional support to process the experience.
