Those who engage in hacking activities are known as hackers. The term hacker is historically associated with clever technical work, showing proficiency in machine codes and computer operating. Today, hacking is most commonly linked to malicious cyber-attacks through the internet and other networks. The truth about hacking and hackers lies within their history.
Hacking has been around for more than a century. It was innocent in 1878, even in the 1980s; hackers were more curious rather than destructive. They developed shortcuts to modify and improve the performance of both operating systems and their applications.
Due to the mass attention given to black hat hacking, the term “hacker” has developed negative cogitations associated with hacking for personal, yet questionable gains. This has caused many people to mistake the term hacking for any security related cyber-crime.
Security related cyber-crimes are known as cracking, NOT hacking. A Cracker is someone who has the tools and familiarity to hack, as well as the additional knowledge to access password-protected computers, files, and networks.
How do you know that you have fallen a victim of this cyber-crime called “cracking?” If you have these for sure signs of being hacked you could be the victim of a cyber-criminal.
Frequent Random Pop-ups
Receiving pop-ups is one thing, receiving them randomly and all the time is another. If you go to a website and a pop-up comes up, it might not be generated by that website. In fact, your system has been compromised.
Fake Antivirus Messages
People do not recognize these messages as fake or as a threat. They are disguised so well that it’s hard to distinguish the difference between the real deal and a virus lurking your system.
Crackers have installed this malicious software to unpatch Java or Adobe and exploit your system. The “anti-virus warning” runs a fake scan and detects a bunch of “viruses” and instructs you to purchase their program. Though, it takes you to a website that is used as the hacker’s home base to collect you credit card or banking information.
If you would like to check to see if you have a legit, secure antivirus that is not embedded with hacking intentions, you will want to go to your Windows Security Center. If the anti-virus or Malware protection section is red and reads as “OFF” then you most likely have an infected “antivirus”.
Unwanted Brower Toolbars
Your browser is equipped with a multitude of toolbars. If you notice new toolbars with names that indicate further assistance from a not very well-known vendor, this could be a sign of a cracker.
You can avoid these types of invasions by reading the licensing agreement and removing the bogus toolbar on your own.
Other
There are so many indications of a hacker. The three provided above are the most common indications. Other hints include being redirected during internet searches, friends receiving fake emails from your email account, online passwords changing suddenly, bank account mishaps and unexpected software installs.
If you would like further assistance detecting an invasion of your computer, contact your local IT Support team today! You don’t have to worry anymore. Geeks on Site can provide you solutions and protection to guard away future malicious attacks.