BotNet News

Hacking is when someone breaches security to gain unauthorized access to a computer, phone, tablet, IoT device, network or website. This can be for many reasons – to steal data, install malware, cause damage and more. Hackers breach defenses by exploiting technical weaknesses in software and other security practices. They can also gain unauthorized access by using social engineering tactics like phishing emails and text messages with links to websites that contain malware.

There are typically four key reasons bad actors hack systems – financial gain such as stealing credit card details, corporate espionage to access sensitive information from competitors, personal revenge for perceived wrongdoing and government sponsored hacking to spy on adversaries or disrupt critical infrastructure. There are also “hacktivists” who use their skills to raise awareness of specific political and social issues, with Anonymous and WikiLeaks being two of the best-known examples.

It is possible to prevent hackers by making sure your software is up to date, avoiding opening suspicious email or text attachments and training employees on how to spot phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics. It is also a good idea to backup important data on a regular basis and to keep the backups in a secure location separate from the primary system. Keeping your software up to date is especially important as updates typically include solutions for known security vulnerabilities that hackers love to exploit. Additionally, having a strong cyber readiness program and regularly testing the security of your organization with penetration tests can help to reduce the risk of hacking incidents.