The greatest concern of companies doing business on the internet is the possibility of hackers gaining access to their systems. This fear is more than justified by regular news reports of businesses forking over massive ransomware payments or of major utilities and other industries, upon whom ordinary citizens depend, simply shutting down. The bigger an industry or a company is, the more dependent it is upon the internet. The web, which allows business to be conducted around the globe instantaneously, also allows tech-savvy hackers access to the inner workings of the world’s infrastructure. Typically, hackers have malicious intent and the technical ability to act on it. Here is a brief overview of the potential results of your business being hacked, tools you can use to prevent it and what to do if it happens to you.
What Damage Can Hackers Do to My Site and Business?
In a sense, it is easier to list the things hackers cannot do to your world once they sneak inside your site. They can absolutely demolish your operating hardware, software and website—while simultaneously moving into the sites of customers, suppliers and friends. To deal with these particular possibilities, it is essential to use a python static analysis to determine the status of your whole system at a basic code level. At the next level, hackers can gain access to all the information you use on your database. They can delete, freeze or alter data. They can also sneak in and out without your realizing it, which is particularly pernicious if you store sensitive financial and personal information.
What Are the Best Ways to Prevent Hacking?
Given the caveat that hackers are continually evolving in their abilities, there are still certain things you can do to minimize your exposure:
- Turn off the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Just because you are not using your computer to surf the internet at the moment does not mean someone else cannot.
- Make certain antivirus software is up to date. Operating systems boast that you really do not need antivirus protection with their services, but there are no totally hack proof operating systems.
- Do not use a “universal password” for all your secure connections. Make unique passwords and store a written list of them that is not available online.
- Do not open unusual emails. Even if you know the person who sent the message to you, if it strikes you as odd, call or text the sender to verify its validity.
What Can You Do If You Have Been Hacked?
First, determine if a hack has actually happened. If programs are not running properly, if lots of strange messages or unrequested pages start popping up or if secure programs show unexpected activity, there is a strong possibility you have been hacked. The next step is to seize control of your identity from the hackers. Use a secure computer to contact the operating system you use, tell them you have been hacked and immediately change all your passwords and pins. You’ll need to notify anyone to whom you are linked who might possibly be impacted. Whether they have experienced any unusual activity or not, they need to change their security settings immediately. Finally, learn from the experience. Ask yourself, was there any practice of mine or any mistake I made that opened the door for this attack?
What Does Future Protection Against Hackers Look Like?
When it comes to the future of hacking, forecasters acknowledge the obvious, that all societies will become more dependent upon digital connectivity and more of the devices we rely upon will be connected to the internet. Thus, there are greater opportunities for hackers and greater financial incentives. The best hedge against the possibility of a rising tide of hacking, therefore, is the use of AI to ferret out the bad actors in the internet world. Some have suggested that the public should pressure tech developers, search platforms and software engineers to build anti hacking intelligence into the net.
