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What is Cyber Spying and How to Spot It
Most of us have heard of cyber spying, and while most of us think it doesn’t apply to us, it does. Cyber spying is used to spy on everyone from large corporations with multi-million dollar secrets to old ladies with credit cards. If you’re on the Internet, you might be at risk, and you might want to be careful. In this article, we’ll cover the basics, so you can make informed decisions to protect yourself from cyber spying.
What is Cyber Spying
Cyber Spying is the process of using spyware, hardware, or planted devices to steal information over the Internet. For most individuals, this affects programs and malware that you might download by accident, viruses that install themselves on your computer, malware exploits that use security issues in your browser, websites you visit, or your computer to steal your data, hardware users such as chip and pin scanners, social media sites, and much more.
In cyber spying, hackers who want to steal your data find as much information as they can about you online, and then use it to do whatever they like with it.
Data Theft
The most common reason for cyber spying is data theft. In a very common example, the hacker will use a keylogger or purchase your log-in password or email from someone else who stole it. Then, they will visit your Facebook or other social media profiles, add you as a friend if necessary, and use information from there to try to fill out your security questions to gain access to your account. In other cases, they will simply use a keylogger, screen capture program, or even hack your data between your computer and its destination if you aren’t using a secure connection. (For example, if you’re logged into WiFi at McDonalds).
This data theft is the most common type of cyber spying that affects individuals, and it is used to steal passwords, credit cards, back data, and other details.
Other Uses
In some cases, the goal of cyber spying is to steal pictures, information off of your computer, or to use your webcam or computer’s microphone. In this case, the primary goal can be blackmail, stalking, checking up on activities, or a number of other illegal activities.
Recognizing Cyber Spying
In some cases, cyber spying is easy to spot. You can see when your webcam turns on, you find emails that you didn’t send in your sent box, your computer is slower than usual, your bank or email report sign-ins from another location, or a number of other similar issues. However, in other cases, it is very difficult to detect cyber spying. This means that your best defense is being careful, taking precautions, and regularly changing your passwords and security information.
Protecting Yourself from Cyber Spying
Use an Antivirus Program With A Firewall
Don’t Use Internet Explorer
Be Careful when installing apps, programs, browser extensions, etc.
Don’t install programs from anywhere but the legitimate developer’s site
Don’t add people you don’t know on Facebook
Check your Facebook security settings and make sure that details aren’t [...]
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