Social networks are ideal platforms for communicating with loved ones or keeping up to date with the latest news. They are also immeasurable sources of tips and, on occasion, remember birthdays.
However, they are also ideal playgrounds for hackers and some malicious people. User data is particularly affected by embezzlement. It is imperative to remain vigilant and take many precautions.
Identify flaws in your account
Recently, hackers claimed to have the data of more than a billion users of the flagship social network, Facebook. A sale had even taken place with a price of $5,000 for 1 million profiles.
A potential leak that sends shivers down your spine, hence the need to stay on your guard. In order to find out if a person’s data has been compromised, all it takes is a few clicks. The site haveibeenpwned.com can be of great help in this case. By typing in their e-mail address, a program is able to determine the breaches through which the user’s information may have leaked.
Destinations of stolen data
Having billions of user data in your hands is first and foremost a real financial windfall. Indeed, most often, hackers make sales to the highest bidders. Of course, this is an illegal act. Buyers need it in particular to develop and distribute targeted marketing campaigns. Other criminals are quick to impersonate and perpetrate scams.
In addition, bank details are used to steal money or make purchases of any kind. The victims are extremely numerous, hence the adoption of a cybercrime policy by more and more countries.
How should you protect yourself?
Unfortunately, most Internet users do not adopt the right reflexes to protect themselves from data theft on the net. However, a few simple gestures will be of great use to avoid being hacked. A little tour in the privacy settings is strongly recommended.
This is particularly valid for social networks, in order to limit the audience on certain information. In addition, two-factor authentication has also become indispensable. A connection can thus only be accepted thanks to a double approval from a third-party device. Passwords should also be quite complicated and unique for each network or platform.
