10 signs that you have been broken

As a rule, hackers try not to leave traces so that the user does not have time to notice the intrusion and do not take appropriate measures. However, some attackers do not always act covertly. Here are ten signs that your device has been hacked. 10 signs that you have been broken.

1. Hackers themselves report hacking

If criminals want to make money, they often contact the victim directly.

Demanding programs

Encryption of all files and inability to process data indicate that the network has been hacked. Typically, attackers demand ransom to restore access to data.

Experts advise not to transfer anything to hackers, but according to statistics, 50% of victims pay a ransom. Generally, once hackers get what they want, they demand more money.

Most likely, the victim will no longer have access to their data, so you should reinstall the system and restore the data from the backup. But this is not always possible. Some viruses can stay in the system for several weeks before activating encryption. Intruders must make sure that they have infected local and sometimes remote backups.

If this method does not work, you can try to find the decryption key on the Internet. The No More Ransom project, which is supported by Europol, can help.

It is also worth noting that even if the victim transfers the required amount to the perpetrator, he may not receive the key. Experts say that after such a hack, you should still conduct a deep cleanup, restore the system and make sure that the extortionist program is completely removed.

Docking

This method of hacking involves the theft of confidential data and private documents in order to publish them in the public domain. This is a kind of digital blackmail. For a certain amount, attackers promise to delete documents and not artical them on the Internet.

Advertising software

Pop-up ads that speed up the system, remove malware, or impersonate technical support are signs that a network or computer has been hacked.

This may be due to a browser vulnerability, and if you don't click on the ad, nothing will happen to your computer. On the other hand, it may also mean that the operating system is already infected.

Letters-extortionists

In this type of attack, the attacker also contacts the victim directly. Typically, it sends an email stating that it has hacked the webcam and removed the user in some compromising situation. If he does not pay the ransom, the hacker threatens to send these materials to friends and family.

These fraudulent letters can be ignored. They are sent to thousands of people in the hope that someone will believe it. However, even if there are a few naive users among them, it can enrich cybercriminals.

Attackers can actually access webcams, and this method of hacking is gaining momentum. It is used for all purposes, from industrial espionage to stalking. But as a rule, criminals rarely get in touch with their victims.

2. New tools appear in the browser

If your browser has new toolbars that you didn't install, it's probably infected. They can log keystrokes to collect account and credit card information. In addition, such a virus can download other malicious programs to the device. At best, search queries will simply be redirected to other sites. Attackers receive money for generating traffic on certain resources.

3. Friends receive strange messages

Hackers often create fake profiles on social networks and send invitations to the contacts of the owner of the real page. A real or fake profile can be used to disseminate controversial or confidential information in order to damage the reputation. With these pages you can also get the necessary information about the user by asking his friends. This method is called social engineering.

User friends may receive a request to receive payment via PayPal on your behalf.

Because the victim is asked to receive rather than pay for something, she may not have any suspicions. The attacker offers the victim to transfer the money to her bank account, and then to his card.

But, of course, the bank account belongs to the attackers. As soon as they receive the money, the original PayPal transaction is canceled and the victim is left without money.

4. Unable to log in to your account

If you cannot go to a service or site, you must first make sure that it works. If other users have no problems, it's likely that your account has been hacked. As soon as an attacker manages to log in to someone else's account, he immediately changes the password so that the account holder cannot log in to it.

Hackers can get a password in different ways:

• They can use the selection method,

hack another of your accounts that uses the same password,

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• Conduct a phishing attack.

If you are unable to access the site, you must report the problem to technical support as soon as possible. Of course, you have to prove that you are the real owner, not a cracker who uses social engineering to access the account.

You can also ask for support to immediately lock the profile and restore access only after they identify the real owner. If you have used this password on other sites or platforms, change it immediately.

5. New software is installed

If a new program appears on your computer that no one else has installed, it is a sure sign of infection. Viruses and malware are usually hidden from the eyes of the average user, and Trojans, worms, and adware can appear as regular applications.

Unusual software can be downloaded along with other free programs. In terms of use, there may be an item about downloading other software packages, which many do not notice. Such programs can collect information about owners and statistics about the use of the device, which can later be sold to marketing companies.

When your computer is left unattended, attackers can download malware from a USB drive that will install one program at a time.

6. The cursor moves by itself

A moving pointer can not only indicate a problem with the hardware, but also be the result of problems in the software drivers.

If the cursor moves purposefully, there can be two explanations.

1. Technical support can access your computer remotely.
2. The device was infected with a remote access Trojan (RAT), and the attackers gained access to a computer.

RAT allows hackers to connect to someone else's computer, perform various operations and monitor user actions. It can also record keystrokes so hackers can see all the owner's actions, even when they are not connected. Moreover, they can download and download files from your computer, as well as turn on or off the microphone and webcam without turning on the appropriate LEDs.

7. Antivirus is disabled

If the security software is disabled and unable to resume operation, the device may be infected with a virus.

Modern malware is able to disable protective software and prevent it from being re-enabled.

8. Money is disappearing

Most cybercrimes are committed to get rich. If attackers can obtain registration data from online banking services, PayPal or a digital wallet with cryptocurrency, they will immediately devastate them.

Also, if hackers manage to convince employees of banking organizations that they need to immediately transfer a large amount of money, the victim can lose all savings.

9. Personal data appears in the public domain

If the user's data was articaled on the Internet, there is no doubt that this is the result of hacking. Sometimes this is done as part of docking attacks. And sometimes this indicates that hacktivists (hackers who promote political ideas) have chosen a particular user or an entire organization as their victim.

10. The computer warns of infection

Every warning of the system about the infection must be taken seriously. An alarming sign is incomprehensible activity in system logs, such as logins at unusual times or from IP addresses with suspicious geolocation.

To learn how to properly evaluate such system alerts, you need to understand what your regular network traffic looks like.

How to protect yourself from burglary?

To ensure the security of all systems, it is necessary to take seriously the training of personnel in the basics of information security and use only licensed security software. Here are some tips to help you protect yourself from hacking.

• Update all operating systems and applications regularly.
• Use quality firewalls and antivirus software.
• Set strong passwords and do not use the same code word on different sites.

If possible, use two-factor authentication.

• Create a multi-level backup system and store copies in different places.
• Check your backups, data recovery systems, and disaster recovery plans.
• Try to rehearse your actions in case of hacking.
• Install monitoring software that monitors various access attempts, system logs, network traffic, and issues alerts about suspicious or prohibited activity.
• Examine the security protocols in your bank to prevent large transfers without additional information and verification.
• Use the best programs that provide protection against viruses and malware, as well as safe browsing.
• Teach your employees cyber literacy.
• Create a culture of safety in the workplace. Teach staff not to trust unusual requests and to report suspicious and unexplained actions.