Think Like a Hacker and Improve Your Computer Security

You may not know it, but right now you could be under attack. As you read this, your computer could be being bombarded by hacking attempts from individuals who want to break into your personal files and plunder what they find there. These attacks could potentially damage your computer and leave you facing a virus, or worse they could result in your personal details being stolen and used to empty your bank account or just send you tons of junk mail.

You might not be aware of it again, but your computer is probably meanwhile trying to defend itself against such attacks and stoically protect you and your private data from theft. An arms race is going on at all times between the two with you happily browsing away on Facebook, but if you want to turn the tides in your computer's favor then it's time to get involved. And successfully defending your computer means knowing how the bad guys operate and how to counteract their every move. Read on to get inside the minds of those who would steal your information and start beating them at their own game.

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Staying Under the Radar

One thing worth considering is what makes someone a target for hacking in the first place, and the answer to that is simply opportunity. Most of us won't be seriously hacked or pick up serious viruses unless we're very unlucky or unless we expose ourselves. And we can expose ourselves by visiting the wrong sites that aren't quite so strict about the kinds things they allow on them, or by accessing the web on open networks without protection. Sharing your details around the web is also a recipe for disaster, so if you have a website with your full e-mail visible - take it down. Most hackers don't come to you, but rather wait for you to come to them. Play it safe and don't do anything to draw attention to yourself.

Rage Against the Machine

Also worth bearing in mind is that most bad guys - just like in the movies - don't like to do the dirty work themselves. In this case, cyber criminals will instead create programs and software ('bots' and 'spyware') to carry out the gruntwork en-masse. This means that what you're up against a lot of the time is simply algorithms that look for patterns and that approach matters in a methodical way. Understanding this is key to creating successful passwords - avoid anything common, anything predictable and anything that follows a pattern. Think random, and think 'human'.

Hackers are Coders

To understand the hacker, you must understand the coder - and understand that this is someone who thrives on creating solutions to complex problems. In this case, your computer is the problem and they will think of just about anything to get in once they've decided to start trying which could involve looking at your keystrokes with a piece of spyware to guess your passwords, or picking up your location on your phone to route through your trash in person. Make sure that you work the same way - that you think of everything and don’t leave any stone unturned. That means doing every update, it means being constantly vigilant, and it means changing your password regularly.

Author Bio:

Today’s featured writer, Jason Haddad, works as a tester for wellresearchedreviews.com. Being an ardent writer, he often shares his views and opinions on the issues related to information security via his articles.

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