What To Do Incase Someone Tries To Hack You

Cyberattacks are no longer a “what if” scenario but a matter of “when”. As cybercriminals refine their tactics, the chances of interacting with a scammer or falling victim to a phishing link become increasingly likely. Security experts at Kaspersky Lab have formulated a battle plan to help you reclaim your online sanity and fight back against potential hackers. This guide also includes some top tips to fortify your defenses and stay one step ahead of the hackers.

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

• Do not give any more information

If you sense any suspicion about a website you’re directed to after clicking a link especially if it requests personal details like your name, email, phone number, or banking information – shut it down 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. Likewise, if you’re using video conferencing tools and encounter any irregularities, promptly end the meeting and close the application to mitigate any potential risks.

• Disconnect your device from the Internet

This step is crucial if you’ve installed any applications at someone else’s request or if someone has accessed your computer using remote control tools. In such cases, there’s a high likelihood that malware has been installed on your device. To prevent cybercriminals from remotely controlling your device, it’s imperative to disconnect it from the Internet. This can be achieved by disabling Wi-Fi and mobile data on your smartphone or by unplugging the Ethernet cable from your computer.

• Put yourself in the hacker’s shoes

If you’ve recently visited a suspicious website or had a suspicious phone conversation, try to recall any information you may have shared. This could include your name, address, phone number, or even sensitive details like bank card numbers or passwords. If you only shared basic information like your name, address, and phone number, no immediate action may be needed.

• Change your passwords

Changing your passwords regularly is a good habit. However, when you have interacted with a hacker, it is vital to quickly log in to the service in question and change the password immediately. If you’ve disconnected your device from the Internet due to potential infection, use a different device to change your password instead of reconnecting the potentially compromised one. If you don’t have another device, consider asking friends or co-workers for assistance. Additionally, when accessing any services, manually enter the site’s address or use your browser bookmarks instead of clicking on links in emails to prevent phishing attempts.

• Contact your bank or service provider

If bank details or financial info were exposed, contact your bank immediately. Most banks allow blocking cards through hotlines, apps, or online accounts. For other sensitive data breaches, consult with the service provider to see what protective measures you can take.

• Check your device

Remember that potentially infected device you disconnected? Now’s the time to give it a good cleaning. If you have security software like Kaspersky Premium, run a deep scan to detect and eliminate any malware or sneaky software such as remote control tools. If your device does not have protection or if the protection databases are outdated, then use another device to download protection from the manufacturer’s official website. You can then transfer the installation files across using a USB flash drive or SD card.

• Check for any suspicious activity

Once you’ve taken these steps, it’s time to see if any damage has been done. Check your online accounts for suspicious activity, like unauthorized purchases or strange social media posts. If you see any purchases that you did not make, try to cancel them by contacting the online store or your bank.

While these steps can help you recover from a potential hack, the best defense is a good offense. Here are a few things you can do aside from the above to stay safe in the online world:

Ensure the security of your mobile device against loss or theft by implementing strong and unique passwords for each account, and consider utilizing a password manager for added convenience. Additionally, install a comprehensive security system across all your devices to safeguard against phishing attempts, unauthorized access, and malware infections. utilize unique passwords with two-factor authentication for each account and install a robust security system on all your computers and smartphones to mitigate various cybersecurity threats and ensure the integrity of your devices and data.

For further precaution, be vigilant on social media platforms, monitoring recent posts, friend requests, and photo content, while also reviewing recent chat activity in messaging apps to detect any suspicious or fraudulent messages sent from your account.