Why do hackers want information?

Hackers have targeted personal information and financial data for a long time because they are easy to sell. Health care data has become a big attraction for data thieves in recent years. In some cases the motivation is extortion.
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Why do hackers want personal information?

Stolen personal information can be used to harm companies

With stolen data criminals can target company personnel to give sensitive information or to trick them to make payments. Such phishing attacks targeted against a specific individual are called spear-phishing.
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What do hackers do with people's information?

Using your personal information, hackers can apply for credit card accounts, government benefits and loans in your name. Identity theft can damage your credit and inflict harm that takes years to undo.
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Why do hackers hack information?

Some common reasons for hacking include basic bragging rights, curiosity, revenge, boredom, challenge, theft for financial gain, sabotage, vandalism, corporate espionage, blackmail, and extortion. Hackers are known to regularly cite these reasons to explain their behavior.
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What information are hackers looking for?

Social security numbers are the main target - they are worth much more to identity thieves to commit miscellaneous crimes pretending to be someone else. Hackers can open new credit and bank accounts, commit tax fraud, access brokerage accounts, get medical treatment or even apply for various benefits.
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What Do HACKERS Do With YOUR Data?



What do hackers target the most?

Small and medium business are the top target for cyberattacks. Unlike large corporations who have the money and resources to pay for cybersecurity and upgrade their network match the latest hacker tricks, small businesses do not have that same luxury" and hackers know it.
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How do hackers target people?

Most hackers will be focused on growing their personal wealth, that is why they will often resort to blackmailing their victims through ransomware or using various phishing techniques to trick them into making a bogus financial transfer.
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Who is the No 1 hacker in world?

Kevin Mitnick is the world's authority on hacking, social engineering, and security awareness training. In fact, the world's most used computer-based end-user security awareness training suite bears his name.
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Why do hackers hack your phone?

To damage your phone

Security researchers warned that hackers could break into a phone's processor and use it for mining cryptocurrency. In addition to making the phone slow down, it can also cause the phone to get too hot or even blow up!
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How do hackers think?

Regardless of what type of hacker a person is, identifying system weaknesses requires logical reasoning and the ability to systematically think through possible actions, alternatives, and potential conclusions. This combination of reasoning and systematic thinking implies the use of mental models.
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What can a hacker do with your name and address?

Hackers can use your SSN to get credit cards in your name.

It is possible for a hacker to get a credit card with just your name, address and Social Security number. Once the credit cards are in place, fraudsters can run up a lot of debt.
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Can a hacker control my phone?

Skilled hackers can take over a hacked smartphone and do everything from making overseas phone calls, sending texts, and using your phone's browser to shop on the Internet. Since they're not paying your smartphone bill, they don't care about exceeding your data limits.
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What happens if my personal information is stolen?

Identity (ID) theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. The identity thief may use your information to apply for credit, file taxes, or get medical services. These acts can damage your credit status, and cost you time and money to restore your good name.
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What can a hacker do with your date of birth?

Unfortunately, an ID fraudster can use your birthday as a piece of the puzzle to capture your identity and commit identity theft. Fraudsters need just three key bits of information to steal your identity and access your accounts, take out loans, credit cards, mobile phones in your name.
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What can hackers do with your phone number?

If a hacker can take control of a victim's number they may be able to reroute login verification codes to themselves. Or, armed with a phone number, a hacker can send phishing messages or calls to the target to try and obtain their verification codes.
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Can hackers see you through your phone camera?

Are hackers really spying on people through their phone cameras and webcams? The short answer: Yes. Webcams and phone cameras can be hacked, giving bad actors complete control over how they function. As a result, hackers can use a device's camera to both spy on individuals and search for personal information.
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Is someone watching me from my phone?

The following signs may indicate that someone is using your phone's camera to watch you: Suspicious background apps. Camera misbehaving. Odd files and inexplicably low storage space.
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How I know if my phone is hacked?

Poor performance: If your phone shows sluggish performance like crashing of apps, freezing of the screen and unexpected restarts, it is a sign of a hacked device. Unrecognised apps: If you notice any unrecognised applications downloaded on your device, it could be the work of a hacker.
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Has Google ever been hacked?

Gmail or Google account is one of the most popular and widely used email services and that's what makes it the prime target for hackers. Despite having the best-in-class security and safety features on offer by Google, we have seen cases where Google accounts were hacked in the past.
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Is Anonymous illegal?

It is not illegal to join Anonymous because you cannot join. Officially, there is nothing to join, although the collective does provide instructions on joining.
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What can block hackers?

How to secure your computer from hackers
  • Use a firewall. ...
  • Install antivirus software. ...
  • Install an anti-spyware package. ...
  • Use complex passwords. ...
  • Keep your OS, apps and browser up-to-date. ...
  • Ignore spam. ...
  • Back up your computer. ...
  • Shut it down.
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Can hackers see what you type?

“Therefore, if someone hacks your phone, they would have access to the following information: email addresses and phone numbers (from your contacts list), pictures, videos, documents, and text messages.” Additionally, he warns, hackers can monitor every keystroke you type on the phone's keyboard.
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Why do hackers target social media?

Social media and dating sites can be loaded with people looking to misuse your personal information. It can also be a great source for attackers to gather information about you to attack your other services (banking, email, etc.).
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Do hackers target specific people?

The various types of hackers

They tend to be younger and more inexperienced, and often operate as part of a small group or even alone. The main incentive here is an ideology or an agenda they're willing to follow, with their targets often institutions or companies that are at odds with these strongly held beliefs.
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