What is Account Hijacking?
Account hijacking occurs when a hacker infiltrates the computer system, email account, or any other internet-based program secured by a user-ID and password. Experts consider it a type of identity theft in which the criminal element uses the stolen account information to access and obtain the victim’s personal information, including social security numbers, credit card information, and banking details.
How Do Criminals Hijack Personal Information?
The hacker applies the compromised account information and impersonates the original account holder with the intention of acquiring as much personal information as possible for future gains. An account hijacking is usually carried out through email campaigns, phishing tactics, and simple guesswork.
Because of the inter-connectedness of most of our online activity these days, once a hacker gains access to a user’s email, infiltrating other web-based programs associated with that user’s personal information is relatively easy even for the most inexperienced hacker. Social media is a particular area of attack, since users often have an abundance of personal information displayed and ready for the taking.
There are certain things that vulnerable users can do to keep the chances of being hacked to a minimum, but hacker’s methodologies improve and evolve on a daily basis. Consultation with an experienced, reliable IT service provider can often be the best course of action, since IT technicians specialize in keeping abreast of the most current hacking threats and solutions.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself?
What Can I Do To Protect My Company?
Alary Clinitech is the trusted choice when it comes to keeping our client’s information technology systems safe and operable. We pride ourselves in staying ahead of the latest information technology tips, tricks, and news. If you think you may have been hacked, contact us at (416) 291-7377 or send us an email at info@clinitech.ca for more information.