Imagine waking up one morning to find that your passwords have been compromised.
No way, right? Why would someone want to hack you? It’s not like you are the president of America… or are you? Well, chances are you you don’t own a multi-million dollar business, either. You might be the most average of all Joes, but trust me, hacking is rarely personal and no-one cares about the fact that they won’t benefit much, if they access your social media accounts.
So, if it’s not your worst enemy who’s trying to hack you, then why would someone do such a thing? Well, sometimes hackers do it for the sport, just to see if they can. Other times it’s just a matter of chance that you became their target. Of course, there are also cases when hackers target their victims very consciously. Such cases often involve social engineering.
The reasons why can vary, and the truth is we may never really know why, but sure know the hows. So, let’s check those out!
Brute Force Attacks
One of the simplest, yet most effective, techniques hackers use is brute force attacks. This method involves trying every possible combination of characters until the correct password is found. At first glance, it may seem inefficient. However, modern computing power enables hackers to test billions of combinations per second.
Short and simple passwords like “123456” or “password” are cracked almost instantly. Even slightly complex passwords, such as “Hello123,” can be guessed within minutes.
Tip: The longer and more random a password is, the more time it takes to crack. Think of years or even centuries.
Dictionary Attacks
I like to say that words work wonders, but sometimes words work against you. Many people think that using a real word makes passwords easy to remember. True, but that’s exactly what hackers count on. Dictionary attacks use precompiled lists of common words and phrases to guess passwords.
Words like “sunshine,” “football,” and “dragon” won’t help you protect your accounts and data. Now, you might think you can outsmart the dictionary attacks with variations like “P@ssword” or “Pa$$w0rd”. Sorry to disappoint you, but those offer little protection. Hackers know these cheap tricks and include such patterns in their lists.
Tip: The best defence is to avoid real words and use a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Credential Stuffing
Have you ever used the same password across multiple sites? Sure you have. Are you still doing it? Please don’t! This is one of the biggest security mistakes one can make. If a hacker gains access to a password from one website, they’re likely going to try logging into other accounts of yours with it. This tactic is known as credential stuffing.
This is how it works. Hackers buy leaked username-password lists from the dark web. Then, they use automated bots to test the stolen credentials on various websites. So, if you use the same password for your email, banking, and social media, a single breach can compromise them all.
Tip: Have unique passwords for each one of your accounts.
Phishing
Sometimes we do things we can’t believe we’ve done, like when we hand over our passwords.
No way, right? Well, surely, there are many ways. However, the most popular is when hackers trick users into entering their credentials on fake login pages that look identical to real ones.
This is how it works. You get an email that contains an urgent message, such as “Your account will be suspended!” The email directs you to a fake website that mimics a legitimate one (e.g., a fake PayPal login page). Once you enter your password, the hacker captures it and uses it to access your account. Yes, that’s pretty much it!
Tip: Never open attached files or links sent by unknown or questionable users and companies. Also check your email for any data breaches for free.
Key-logging & Malware
And sometimes everything comes down to the well-known viruses. Hackers can use malware to track everything you type on your keyboard, including passwords. There’s also malware that can extract saved passwords from web browsers. It’s a bit of a downer but even if you use strong passwords, they are useless if a hacker can see everything you type.
Tip: Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software that can help detect and prevent keyloggers.
Social Engineering
This kind of hack is all about psychology and trust, rather than technical vulnerabilities. Hackers may impersonate someone close to you, so that you share the necessary info with them. But don’t imagine some weirdo in a wig, dressing up like your best friend. It’s more like like fake phone calls or impersonation through social media. The success of social engineering relies on human error, such as misplaced trust or lack of awareness.
Tip: Verify the identity of anyone requesting sensitive information. Vigilance and skepticism are your best defences against social engineering attacks.
Shoulder Surfing
This technique can be as simple as it gets. All one needs to do is look over your shoulder to see the password you type in. It’s more sophisticated version is done remotely using cameras or binoculars. The method relies on carelessness or lack of awareness, as people may not notice someone watching them type or swipe.
Tip: Avoid entering passwords in public or unsecured areas, and be mindful of your surroundings.
How pCloud Pass Stops Hackers
Now that you know how hackers steal passwords, let’s explore how a password manager can stop them.
Generates Strong, Unique Passwords
A password manager creates random, complex passwords that are impossible for hackers to guess. If you are someone who might come up with something like “Summer2024,” it generates something like “j#9Gk!7x@pQ$wz3L.” Passwords that are long and unique, are difficult for brute-force attacks to crack.
Prevents Password Reuse
One of the biggest security risks is reusing the same password across multiple sites. A password manager would never allow you such a frivolity. In will be there to help you generate unique passwords for each one of your accounts. This is your best risk management against credential stuffing attacks. So, even if one gets hacked, your other accounts remain secure.
Autofills Passwords Securely
Password managers can automatically enter your credentials on the correct website, protecting you from phishing attacks. This means that even if you visit a fake login page, the password manager won’t autofill your credentials. Plus, it’s handy because you npc longer have to type passwords manually, which reduces the risk of key-logging malware.
Encrypts & Stores Passwords Safely
Unlike saving passwords in a browser or worse – writing them down, password managers use encryption to store them securely. So, how exactly does that protect you? Well, imagine the worst case scenario and the password manager provider is hacked. Even if a hacker steals your encrypted vault, they won’t be able to access your passwords because of the encryption.
Supports two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Normally, the only thing you need to remember when using a password manager is your master password. However, despite the encrypted information within the password manager, it’s best to integrate a two-factor authentication (2FA). It adds yet another layer of security, as it requires an additional step like a one-time code to access your accounts.
Needless to say, your master password should be unique and complicated enough to protect you from credential stuffing, brute force and dictionary attacks. Plus, by now you should’ve learned to be vigilant enough not to fall in the traps of social engineering and shoulder surfing. That said, even if a hacker somehow steals your master password, they won’t be able to log in without the second factor. 2FA is a must have that makes your accounts significantly harder to breach.
It’s time to stop memorising weak passwords, or playing guessing games, and then opting for the “forgot password” as your go-to solution. Make hacking attempts futile, as you adopt a password manager.
Ditch the sticky notes and Upgrade your login game!
Try pCloud Pass now!
