We tend to think of hackers as loners however, the reality is that cybercrime has grown into an intricate and collaborative network. Hackers have a variety of motives, from economic gain to political goals. Knowing what they’re after can help you anticipate attacks and put systems in place to protect your small-scale business.

Some hackers make use of their skills to their advantage, identifying security holes and bringing them to light to fix them. White hat hackers are compensated by their employers to perform penetration tests. Some hackers are more shady and include those who steal personal data to commit credit card fraud identity universityparkcarecenter.com/vdr-contract-management-software-that-helps-to-settle-ma-issues theft, fraud or employ viruses to create unauthorized payments or shut down devices.

A secure password is the first line of defense in your fight against hackers. The addition of two-factor authentication to websites like banking and social media will increase your security. Encrypting your hard drive is another method to prevent hackers from accessing your private information even if you hack into your device. Update your operating system, browsers and important applications regularly. Most devices will automatically download updates that can fix software vulnerabilities that could otherwise allow hackers to gain access to or steal information.

We live in a constantly connected world, where our smartphones, laptops, computers and tablets are always on. Hackers are seeking information that you divulge online. It’s tempting to fall into a state of vulnerability and give away too much. Avoid using public Wi-Fi to shop and connecting to personal accounts. Also, don’t keep any account open at all times.