In today’s digital era, hacking, and online scams are common occurrences. This is the why you should be more careful and take precautions to avoid them. 
There are all sorts of different techniques that cybercriminals use to deceive unsuspecting victims and gain access to their sensitive information.
By understanding the most common hacker techniques, you can better equip yourself to avoid them. Here are some of the most widespread scams you may come across, and how you can avoid falling victim to them.
Phishing
Phishing is one of the most common forms of cyber scams. Hackers will disguise themselves as a legitimate business or organization to trick people into providing their sensitive information. Sometimes this can be done by asking for their passwords, or in some cases their credit card details.
Phishing often comes in the form of deceptive emails or fake websites. If you click the wrong link, they could gain your information by infecting your computer. To avoid phishing attacks, always be cautious of suspicious emails. Check the email address of the sender, and verify that it’s the actual address of the association they’re claiming to be. It’s very rare that businesses will contact you for your personal information, so when in doubt, always err on the side of caution.
Malware
Malware is malicious software designed by hackers to harm your computer system. Usually, they come in the form of a virus that enters your computer either through a download or a malicious email attachment. The best way to protect yourself against malware is to download a reliable antivirus program like Norton.
Having an antivirus software alone isn’t enough, however. Make sure that it’s regularly updated so that it’s up to date with all the latest malware.
Don’t rely on your antivirus software alone, either. You should always still be extremely careful about downloading files from untrusted sources or clicking any suspicious pop-up ads. You can think of antivirus software as a net to catch you, but it’s better not to fall at all.
Public Wi-Fi Networks
It may seem convenient to join a public Wi-Fi network when you’re at your favorite cafe or bar. However, this is one of the most common ways that hackers will intercept and collect your data. Always be cautious whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. Ideally, you should use a VPN, and never access sensitive information like your online bank account on a public Wi-Fi connection.
Identity Theft
Identity theft happens to one out of every five Americans. Unfortunately, if a hacker manages to assume your identity, they could get you in a significant amount of trouble. Always choose complicated passwords that aren’t easy to guess, and enable multi-factor authentication. Above all, keep an eye on your banking statements and if you notice any suspicious charges come up, report them immediately.