How to Prepare for and Survive Cyber Attacks
This year so far has been unsettling. Since the beginning of 2023, I have been experiencing a constant invasion of my digital privacy. From Facebook to Amazon to PayPal, hackers transferred thousands of dollars regardless of my attempts to secure the accounts with new passwords and two-factor authentication codes. All attempts to protect the accounts failed in the face of advanced cyber attacks.
I can’t describe how utterly powerless and discouraged I have felt these past few weeks as I’ve been working with Amazon, Facebook and PayPal to restore my accounts, clear charges and restore my funds.
While everything has been restored, it doesn’t take away the fact that I had to explain over and over again to customer service agents of companies whose systems are no longer designed to help the customer but rather to add to their frustration. Do you know how hard it is to find a phone number to call Amazon, Facebook or Paypal? Try being locked out of your account and the only way to access the help chat is by logging into the account you’re logged out of?
Big sigh.
Cyber hackers are getting smarter and faster with every passing day, making it harder for the average person to protect their digital privacy. We have been unable to keep up with their level of sophistication. All three companies assured me that it was impossible for someone to gain access to my accounts without two factor authentication yet here we are. In the end, while the companies were able to restore my funds and reverse charges, it was up to me to figure out how to secure my accounts from these cyber attacks.
How to Prepare for and Survive Cyber Attacks
1. Create Strong Passwords
It’s important to create strong passwords that are difficult for others to guess, using a combination of numbers, letters and symbols.
2. Change Your Passwords Often
Change your passwords often and use different passwords on different websites. Do not use the same passwords across different platforms. When you do reset your password, if there is an option to log out of all devices, do so. While it’s a pain to have to relog in across your devices, this will help ensure that someone isn’t still logged in remotely.
3. Two-Factor Authentication
Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code sent to your phone. Again, this can be a pain if you don’t have your phone with you. I do not recommend using email for this as your email is more likely to be compromised.
4. Updated Browsers
Always make sure you are using the latest version of your browser when logging into websites. Do not get enticed by suspicious emails or links. Always be wary and take extra precaution when clicking on unknown links or attachments.
5. Be Aware of What You Share
Have you seen those Facebook questionnaires where you answer a few questions and the app predicts which Disney princess you’re most like? What most people don’t realize is that these quizzes are a prime way for hackers to glean personal information. Be aware of what information you are sharing online and on social media.
6. Keep Antivirus Up To Date
Keep your antivirus up to date and run regular scans on your computer. If you do notice any strange or suspicious activity on any of your accounts, report it immediately. Following these tips can go a long way in protecting yourself from cyber criminals and restoring your digital privacy. Now-a-days it’s important to have a solid antivirus program and a malware program installed.
7. Email Settings
Check your email settings for filters regularly. If you have Gmail, click the gear icon, then “see all settings”. Along the menu bar you will see “Filters and Blocked Addresses”. This is where I discovered that emails from Amazon and Paypal were being automatically deleted before it hit my inbox. It doesn’t hurt to double check the “forwarding” tab as well. If you find filters in place you did not add, change your password immediately.
Conclusion
If you’ve been hacked, take a deep breath and remember that it’s important not to panic. Remember that there are steps you can take to protect yourself. These businesses have insurance to safeguard their customers from these cyber attacks. Yes, it is inconvenient and may require some time to resolve.
There is no way to guarantee that you will never be hacked, but following these tips can help minimize the risk of becoming a victim of cyber attacks and restore your digital security.
By creating strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication when possible, avoiding suspicious emails or links and keeping your antivirus up to date with regular scans; you’ll be taking steps toward protecting yourself from potential breaches in online security. Ultimately, staying vigilant by monitoring activity on all accounts and using best practices is key in preserving our data privacy today.
Have you been hacked? If so, what steps have you taken to protect yourself going forward?
