The Dark Web – Staying Secure from Hackers
What is the Dark Web?
For those of you who don’t know, the dark web is an encrypted part of the web that can only be accessed by special software, allowing its users and operators to become untraceable and remain anonymous.
Even though the dark web makes up only 6% of the internet’s content, many argue that it packs the biggest punch in terms of cyber security risks – with good reason behind this. The dark web is filled with a variety of illegal content ranging from stolen or illegal documentation and drug trafficking to illegal sites which need not be mentioned.
Unfortunately, for the everyday internet user, a large amount of their data can be exposed and stolen by dark web hackers – however there are ways to protect yourself from cyber criminals.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
For most people, their main fear about the dark web, is having their personal information stolen or compromised – but there is no need to fear, as despite hackers attempting to gain access to accounts, there are ways they can be blocked out.
Update your software:
In terms of cyber security, the people who will know the ins and out’s best are the software providers. By updating your software’s as frequently as you can, your data will be more secure. This is because most general software updates include an update in the security system – this is to prevent gaps in the system which can allow for breaches. It is key to update your software in order to keep your data safe.
Be careful when using public Wi-Fi:
It is common for public Wi-Fi to be less secure than residential Wi-Fi – this is because public Wi-Fi is free and open to use. Because of this, these hotspots become much easier to hack – allowing for your data to be stolen with ease by an experienced hacker. When using public internet services, you can protect yourself using a few different methods, however the most common are…
Using a VPN – A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server, making it much more difficult for hackers to snatch your data.
Two Factor Authentication – Two Factor Authentication will provide you with an extra layer of protection the applications that provide it. Even if a hacker is able to gain access to your passwords, two factor authentications will allow you to block the hacker from gaining further access.
Turn off sharing settings:
The majority of people have their shared settings turned on at all times, these include Bluetooth and location. But what many people don’t know is that this can leave you susceptible to being hacked, for Bluetooth especially, it transmits the device’s location and presence. So, make sure you’re turning things like Bluetooth off when they’re not in use as it can leave you and your data much more open to a data breach.
What do I do if I am hacked?
Being hacked can be a scary and stressful time, especially when you are locked out of your accounts. Thankfully, most companies have new and improved ways of restoring your accounts and resecure them.
If you have been hacked, the first thing you need to do is reclaim your account. This can be done via a few methods, the most common being security questions which will provide clear evidence that the account belongs to you. However, if push comes to shove, customer service teams can be contacted, they can sort the issues for you as long as valid evidence is provided.
Once your account is reclaimed, the first and most important thing you should do, is reset your passwords, and keep them unique to that specific account. Ensure your passwords include a mixed range of lowercase and uppercase letters as well as numbers and symbols. A varied password is much safer than just one word.
If you are worried about your cybersecurity, then here at Omicron, we will be happy to help you. We provide an outstanding service in IT and Data Security. So, if you are worried about your online security don’t hesitate to contact us.
Email: web@omicronsolutions.co.uk
Phone: 01727 861 553
