How Can You Protect Your Online Accounts from Hacking Attacks?

To keep your online accounts safe, you need to protect them from cybercriminals who want to steal your personal info, financial details, and other sensitive data. These hackers use lots of tricks like phishing, malware, and breaking into databases to get into your accounts without permission. But there are some simple things you can do to keep them out. By taking a few basic security steps, you can lower the risk of getting hacked and keep your personal stuff safe.

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How to Distinguish Genuine Emails from Fake Phishing Emails

Another email from an online shop asking you to pay for goods you didn’t order. It’s all phishing! Or is it? In most cases, you can probably delete the email without further ado. However, if a reputable company sends you a payment request you don’t recognize, it could be that scammers have placed an order in your name and the payment is indeed still outstanding. The following points may indicate that someone has accessed your online account and placed an order without your knowledge:

The sender email address appears to match the one the shop usually uses, but this alone does not prove that the email is genuine.
A look at your online shop account shows that a corresponding order has indeed been placed.
Your name is spelled correctly, and you are addressed as usual. Just as in previous communication with the shop, you will be addressed either informally or formally.
Your correct customer number might even be included in the email.

If all of this is true, it could be that strangers have gained access to your online account to make purchases at your expense.

How Can Hackers Misuse Your Social Media Accounts?

It’s not uncommon for strangers to gain access to online accounts on social media. Although many social networks don’t yet allow in-app purchases, fraudsters still find ways to profit from your online account. Social media accounts are particularly well-suited for perpetrators to spread malware or other malicious content, as recipients often believe they are being contacted by someone they know. Consequently, they react with less suspicion and are therefore easier targets.

Criminals can, for example:

Advertise products on fake online shops in your name.
Post links to malware on your behalf, which your contacts then click on.

The perpetrators may contact friends through the hacked or duplicated profile and attempt to infect their devices with malware through malicious links and attachments. They can also use fabricated stories to trick your contacts into transferring money or sending payment codes.

Collect your data and misuse it for other purposes. Furthermore, the scammers naturally gain access to your personal messages.

How Do Fraudsters Access Online Accounts and How Can You Protect Yourself?

This is how fraudsters can access your online accounts and how you can protect yourself.

How fraudsters obtain your data varies from case to case. However, it’s clear that everyone leaves data behind when surfing the internet. Therefore, a major hacking attack isn’t necessary for your data to fall into the wrong hands.

This is how hackers might have proceeded:

1. Previous Data Leaks

Online portals, online shops, and the servers of their operators have frequently been hacked. The user data collected in such data breaches can sometimes be purchased by fraudsters and misused. Often, such data is even offered for free on online black markets in the so-called darknet.

What Can You Do in the Event of a Data Leak?

Change the passwords for all affected accounts. Pay particular attention to choosing strong passwords and do not use the same password for multiple online services.
To avoid having to remember a multitude of different complex passwords and to be able to use them as smartly as possible across devices, the use of a password manager and two-factor authentication (2FA) for particularly vulnerable accounts is recommended (see below for further details).
Since your data may be circulating, you may also be contacted directly via email, SMS, messenger services or phone call.
Especially if bank or credit card details have been lost, you should keep an eye on your bank account and pay attention to any unusual account activity.

2. Malware and Viruses

Malware or viruses can infect your computer or mobile device through malicious links, phishing emails, or text messages. Once installed, this software can cause serious problems. Once installed, this software can sometimes intercept data and transmit it over the internet for identity theft.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself Against Malware and Viruses?

Regularly scan your computer with a reputable antivirus program.
Make sure your antivirus program is always up to date and install security updates.
If malware is already installed, disconnect from the internet. For mobile devices, it’s best to put them in airplane mode, meaning disconnect from the internet. Then follow the instructions of your antivirus software.
In most cases, it is advisable to seek expert advice. You can find qualified contacts, for example, through the BSI’s cybersecurity network. They may recommend restoring your system from a clean backup after an infection.
Before you attempt this recovery and eliminate the infection, you should file a police report. If necessary, the police should be given the opportunity to examine the infected device.

3. Social Engineering

In social engineering, fraudsters trick you into revealing your personal information. This happens, for example, through phishing emails, text messages, or phone calls impersonating a company you know, your bank, government agencies, or family members. Most often, the fraudsters use emotional appeals or pressure tactics to make you overcome your inhibitions and any caution.

What Can You Do Against Social Engineering?

Do not give out any personal information to unknown individuals. Even if someone calls from a company you know, you should verify that it is a legitimate call before disclosing or confirming your details.
Never share passwords and PINs with anyone. Also, restrict data access for apps on social media.
Do not click on links and attachments from unknown sources—whether in emails, SMS messages, or on social networks.
Do not give out personal information to strangers, even if you are urged to act quickly or are pressured.

How to Prepare for a Hacking Attack: Password Security and Account Protection

Create a list of all the online accounts you are registered with. Note down your username and password for each one. You can find a sample list here.

Let a password manager help you. Instead of a paper list, you can use a password manager.
A password manager is a program that eliminates the need to remember dozens of complex passwords. It allows you to manage the passwords for your various online accounts. To access your password manager and your online accounts, you only need to remember one strong password and further secure it with two-factor authentication.
A password manager is way better than a list on paper. It keeps your passwords safe and makes it easy to get to them from any device. You can log in fast without having to hunt for your passwords. It also helps you create strong, unique passwords for each account and keeps track of them.
If you’re using a password manager, make sure to keep the master password really secure. It needs to be super strong, like a long mix of letters and numbers. This way, you can safely store and use lots of unique passwords for all your online accounts whenever you need to.

Why Should You Secure Your Password Manager with Two-Factor Authentication?

Important: Since your password manager is your primary access point to all your passwords, it should be especially secure—ideally with two-factor authentication (2FA). You can read more about what this feature is and how to use it here.

How to Improve Your Online Account Security

Clean up your online accounts from time to time. Check which accounts you still actively use and uninstall any you no longer need. Make sure you delete the account directly with the provider before uninstalling the app.

Use a Unique Password for Every Online Account

Use a unique password for each of your online accounts. Each password is a key. With each key, you protect your online accounts from digital intruders. The more passwords you use, the more secure each individual online account is. You wouldn’t use the same key for every room in your home, would you? You also secure your home with a front door key.

Create Strong and Random Passwords

Make your passwords super strong. Pick ones that are really long and hard to figure out, and use a different one for each account. Don’t use your name, birthday, or common words that are easy to guess. The longer your password is, the safer you’ll be from people trying to get into your accounts.

To keep your accounts safe, you need a password that’s really hard to guess. It should be a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters all jumbled up. Don’t use passwords that have your name, birthday, or common words—those are easy to figure out. A password manager can help you create strong, random passwords.

Also Read: What Can I Do With a VPN