Online Security
Protecting your Privacy from Hackers and Spies
Advice that can Help You to Protect Yourself against Hackers and Government Surveillance
Updated: March 4, 2021
By: RSH Web Editorial Staff
This a difficult topic. And you may think a bit of paranoia is kicking in
Or you may not want to believe all of what we listed below actually happens
But it does!
And it happens more than you think. Awareness is the first step in protecting yourself
Data breaches and privacy violations are happening every day. From Edward Snowden: the whistle blower behind the NSA surveillance revelations that the American government tracks its citizens. To Cambridge Analytica gained access to private information on more than 50 million Facebook users to allegedly influence the 2016 US presidential election
Our information is not always being used in the most ethical, transparent or even legal ways. It appears that every aspect of our private lives can be dissected and scrutinized by any one that mean to do us harm. And it is clear that our personal information is out there
The most obvious issue that comes to mind when thinking about privacy violations is Hackers and other criminal activity. There are hackers out there who will stop at nothing to try to steal your personal information and break into your private accounts
One of the most famous hacks: Equifax Breach's that may have leaked millions of people’s data, including Social Security numbers Was just one of many examples where hackers gained access to a large database that could be used for identity theft. These things happen more often than you realize
Do you have a Web Camera?
Do you cover the Webcam on your computer when you’re not using it? Maybe you should. The camera on your laptop or computer monitor can be hacked to give strangers access to what’s going on inside your house. This is not just TV magic, it can really happen
All hackers need to do to hijack your webcam is to slip remote-control malware into your laptop or PC (this also can give access to your personal files, messages, and browsing history). Here is how to spot the warning signs and stop it
Check the indicator light
If your webcam indicator light is on or it’s acting abnormally even though you haven’t turned the webcam on, it’s a sign that something might not be right.
It might only be another program or browser extension running in the background and using your webcam. Let’s check it
Browser Extensions
Reboot your device and start your Browser. If the webcam light turns on the moment you open your Browser, the problem is likely to be in a browser extension.
Deactivate your extensions one at a time to identify the culprit
Check Your Apps
Another potential reason why your light is flashing might be applications. To test launch an application and see if the webcam indicator lights up until you spot the one secretly using it. Then decide if you really need that app
If your webcam light turns on a few seconds after you reboot your computer, without launching any applications you might have been hacked
When you’re surfing the Web, it’s way too easy for people to get data or info about you. Beyond Social Media Websites and Shopping behavior, just browsing the Internet and checking your email can get you into trouble. Innocent looking emails might send you to fraudulent banking or other websites that try to capture your login details, a process called Phishing. Other Sites may track your online behavior by placing cookies in your browser.
Using the right Privacy Focused Browser can also go a long way in protecting you online privacy
Most of the time it is just small bits of info or data that hackers are after. Your date of birth, along with your email or mailing address could provide a key that a criminal can use to reset your account passwords or gain access to important account information. One example: Back in 2012, Hackers compromised a "Wired" Staff Writer Mat Honan’s digital accounts and deleted all of his computer files just by having critical bits of information about him
Security Experts repeatedly us warn that with more of us connecting additional devices to the Internet (Devices such as thermostats, home security systems, Amazon Echo or Google Home) It is exposing even more of our personal data to potential hacking
There are hundreds of ways people gain legitimate access to your info or data, often with your explicit consent. It’s worth considering how often your activities are being monitored and what kinds of information you willingly provide to corporations and the government
Companies like Ancestry.com have started offering genetic mapping and profiling services: You just mail in a swab and in return the company sends you the results and stores your DNA records in their databases. But have you ever considered how this data might be used in the future? As we recently saw with the Apprehension of the Golden State Killer used a genetic database at the genealogy service of Ysearch.org. Today it might be solving a murder, but in the future, who knows? Your genetic profile could also be used to determine health coverage or other purposes you did not want or expect
Seems safe enough right? Go ahead and call a Lyft or Uber. You will be giving that company data on where you live, who else lives there, and your entertainment habits. Uber even got caught tracking their customers after they dropped them off
But it’s Just a Game? - Right?
By using GPS data to provide location-based entertainment, these most addictive mobile app's also keeps a close eye on where you and or your kids are throughout the day, hmmm
If you’re like most of the world, you use Amazon and eBay for much of your online purchases and household services. You might app's from Star-bucks or Target on your phone to order in advance or get discounts. And each time you buy online from major retailers or use their apps, you’re giving them rich data. For use, but where and what for?
Just about every mobile device has a GPS chip that locates the phone even when it’s turned off. This can allow emergency services to locate you when you need help The question is, who else has access to that data?
With ATMs to ‘eye in the sky’ cameras at department stores and it seems everywhere cameras are always watching you. Red light cameras and cameras on toll roads snap your car’s license plate to send you violation notices or fee invoices. Any time you leave your home in most urban centers in the US and Europe (and in major cities across the world), someone is always watching and what you’re doing
Today it seems there are thousands of different ways your privacy can be compromised. When you think about it seems to be to overwhelming and nothing we can do to help solve the problem?
You might not care if companies know your purchase history or where you go on the weekends. And you might not worry about the government tracking you because you think you have nothing to hide. What’s more, there are benefits to sharing our data to take advantage of everything our modern society enables us to do. It’s nice to be able to use Google Maps to find a new restaurant or chat with your friends on Facebook
So unless you want an "Off The Grid" lifestyle, Modern convenience's requires surrendering a certain amount of your privacy
But there are some ways you can minimize the impact of potential privacy violations and prevent people from gaining access to your information and data
To many times companies will ask for personal information that they don’t need. Challenge Anyone who asks for your Social Security number.
Don’t put your address on your resume or job search websites. If you have a home business, consider getting a P. O. Box to avoid giving out your personal address
It seems that everyone wants your email, this can also be a ticket to spam as well as a possible gateway for phishing or hackers to access your account. If you find yourself giving out your email often, consider creating a disposable email address using a free Gmail or Yahoo account. Then, whenever you enter a sweepstakes or join a mailing list, enter that address rather than your personal one. You can still receive messages at that address if you want by forwarding it to your real address and filtering it into a separate folder
Don’t play games on Facebook that require you to connect your profile. Use privacy settings to lock down your social media profiles so only your friends can see what you’re posting
For more info and ideas, check out this Mashable article
In the US, you can order a report for free once a year through each credit reporting agency or by going to AnnualCreditReport.com
Use a different password for different websites
If a Website gets hacked that you happen to use don’t hand the hacker the keys to all of your other accounts. People also tell you to change passwords regularly. If you have a good one Don’t unless there’s a good reason, such as responding to a data breach. Switching often and you’ll probably end up using weak options. Never give out a password to anyone over the phone or email You can also try the Norton Identity Safe Password Generator for a new and "safe" password
It’s far too easy for hackers to gain access to your login data. If you frequently use the Wi-Fi in coffee shops or restaurants, consider investing in an inexpensive VPN solution
Most major websites including blogging platforms, banks, and even online games offer 2FA protection, Which is a second step of authentication that’s difficult for a hacker to replicate. Often, 2FA will require you to enter a code text-ed to your mobile device or sent via a third-party app
It may be annoying to always have to enter your passcode, but it will keep people from gaining access to your personal data, contacts, social media accounts, and email if you get separated from your device even for a few minutes
This is just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a great way to get started
For an even more comprehensive list see:
66 privacy tips from Consumer Reports
And please remember that at RSH Web Services we do value your privacy. We will not sell your personal information to other companies like other big named hosting companies do, and we work to keep you aware of different ways your privacy might be violated
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