Tag Archive for: Ways

6 Ways To Tell If Your Phone Is Hacked—And What To Do Next

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These days, most people are highly reliant on their phone. Three quarters of phone users worldwide use them to chat or send messages, six in ten for banking and nearly half for navigation, according to Statista. Indeed, according to Pew Research, 15% of U.S. adults are “smartphone-only” internet users who depend on their phone as they don’t have a home broadband service. All this means that if something goes wrong and your phone is hacked, your life can be upended — and your bank account cleaned out. Here’s a look at how to know if your phone is hacked, how to avoid it and what to do if the worst happens.

Can Someone Hack My Phone?

Cyber criminals have a variety of ways to take control of, or steal information from, a victim’s phone. All types of phone, whether iPhone or Android, are vulnerable — although Apple phones are generally perceived as being safer, thanks to stronger security controls.

There are a number of different phone hacking techniques. One of the most common is to fool the user into clicking on a malicious link, or into downloading software from a fake app store or elsewhere through what’s known as social engineering, often through the use of phishing emails. Fake public wifi networks can often fool the unsuspecting. Another technique involves a SIM swap, in which an attacker persuades a victim’s mobile provider to transfer their SIM card to a device under their control; infected USB cables or charger cables can also allow an attacker access. And once an attacker has found a way in, a user’s data can be exposed, especially where passwords have been reused.

How To Check If Your Phone Has Been Hacked

Perhaps the most high-profile hack of a phone came in 2019, when the Twitter account of the company’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, started tweeting out a string of bizarre posts. It was immediately clear that his account had been hacked.

In this case, the attackers appear to have used a SIM swap, which was only possible through a “security oversight” by his mobile carrier. More commonly, a phone user becomes suspicious after spotting one or more of the symptoms below.

There…

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TikTok Shock As Viral Video Hack Freezes Screens—2 Ways To Fix It

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TikTok users are discovering a new and unwanted type of viral video craze over the Easter weekend: a hack that prevents them from scrolling backward or forwards, effectively freezing the app. Here’s what’s happening and how to fix it.

TikTok In The News, Again

TikTok has been in the news recently thanks to the proposed ban using the app for U.S. users unless owners ByteDance divest the U.S. operation. The highest earning app in the world, TikTok’s February revenue was $189 million. With an estimated 1.7 billion users in 2023, it is also one of the most popular largely thanks to the viral videos and crazes it has seen posted over the years.

But there is one viral trend on TikTok that certainly is not very popular among its users. The videos that are part of this craze appear to freeze the ability to scroll the screen in any direction, leaving users with no other option than to restart the app. However, it’s important to note that appearances can be deceiving, and not everything is as it seems at first glance.

MORE FROM FORBESThis Popular Google App Will Stop Working In 3 Days-How To Migrate Your DataBy Davey Winder

The TikTok Screen Freeze Hack

Users have been taking to the internet in droves (1, 2, 3) to complain that posts are appearing that lock their TikTok app down, preventing them from scrolling to the previous or next video. Many seem to think that the videos and images in question somehow freeze the app entirely, in effect bricking it for that session, or are even somehow breaking their phones. The truth, as always, is a lot less exciting albeit nonetheless annoying.

The videos, or rather images that look like videos, all contain some glib comment along the lines of “Sorry, I have to stop you from scrolling,” and, at first and second glance, this does appear to be the case.

If you try to swipe up or down, nothing happens; you’ll likely just get your attention drawn to the “I’ve stopped you scrolling” nonsense instead. What appears to be happening is that people have worked out that if you post an image and tag it with an unfeasibly large number of people,…

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What Is Ransomware, How It Work And Ways To Stay Safe

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Have you ever woken up to a message demanding money in exchange for access to your computer? This isn’t a scene from a dystopian movie; it’s the chilling reality of ransomware, a form of cyber extortion that has become a major threat in today’s digital world.

Ransomware has become a pervasive cyber threat, wreaking havoc on individuals and businesses alike. According to a 2023 report by Cybersecurity Ventures, global ransomware damages are projected to reach a staggering $265 billion by 2031!

These attacks not only cause financial losses but can also disrupt critical operations, damage reputations, and even pose legal and regulatory challenges. But what is ransomware? How exactly does it work? Who are its common targets? And most importantly, how can you defend yourself from becoming the next victim? In this article, we’ll discuss these things in detail.

What is Ransomware?

What is Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious software program, or malware, specifically designed to hold a victim’s data or device hostage. Imagine a digital kidnapper – ransomware encrypts your crucial files, databases, or even locks you out of your entire system. The attacker then demands a ransom payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key or regaining access.

Ransomware has become a significant threat in the digital age, causing billions of dollars in damages and disrupting businesses and individuals alike.

Types of Ransomware

There are two main types of ransomware, each employing a different tactic to extort victims:

  • Crypto-Ransomware (Encryptors): This is the most prevalent and well-known strain. Crypto-ransomware encrypts a victim’s valuable data, rendering it inaccessible. This could include essential documents, photos, financial records, or entire databases. The attacker then demands a ransom payment, typically in cryptocurrency, for the decryption key – the only way to unlock the files and regain access.
  • Locker Ransomware: This variant doesn’t encrypt files but rather locks the user out of their entire device or system. Imagine being blocked from your desktop screen, with a ransom note prominently displayed, demanding payment to regain control. While less sophisticated…

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I’m a tech expert still in shock at these ways hackers steal your password

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You’ve probably heard it a million times, right? Keep your passwords strong, unique and under wraps. Don’t go clicking on shady links, and change your passwords like you change your socks. Oh, and let’s not forget about tucking them away in a cozy, encrypted password manager. The advice list is never-ending.

But here’s a kicker. What if you tick all those boxes and your password still ends up in the wrong hands? I know it sounds like we’re going overboard, but it’s a legitimate worry. How can you keep yourself safe from all the password-stealing scams out there and the damage that can potentially come with that?

The truth is, you can never keep yourself 100% safe from anything. But you can try your best. It starts by taking a step back and understanding the ways that your password, emails and usernames could be potentially compromised.

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Illustration of locking up your devices (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The many ways hackers try to steal your password

Theoretically, there are many ways that hackers can go about stealing your password and other login information, especially when it comes to tricking you into giving it to them. But, all the methods go back to the basics. Here are some of the methods hackers employ to steal passwords from innocent people like you and me.

Password spraying: This isn’t always successful, but attackers may attempt to log in to your accounts by trying random common passwords and seeing if anything hits.

Credential stuffing: Hackers test databases or lists of stolen credentials against multiple accounts to see if there’s a match. If you use the same password across different sites,…

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