We tend to think of hackers as loners however, the reality is that cybercrime has evolved into an extremely sophisticated and collaborative system. Hackers have a variety of motives, from economic gain to political motives. Knowing what they’re after can assist you in preventing attacks and put systems in place to protect your small business.

Some hackers use their skills for good, locating security holes and bringing them to the attention of authorities to fix them. White hat hackers get paid by their employers to do penetration tests. Some hackers have more criminal motives, including getting data room M&A personal data to perpetrate fraud with credit cards or identity theft, or using viruses to make unauthorised charges or to cause attacks on service (which shut down devices).

A strong password is your first line of defense against hackers. By incorporating two-factor authentication on sites like social media and banking will further enhance your security. Encrypting your hard drive is a easy way to stop hackers from gaining access to your sensitive data even if they are able to break into your device. Update your operating system, browsers, and important apps regularly. The majority of devices automatically update and fix any vulnerabilities in software that could permit hackers to access and steal information.

We live in a connected world, where our smartphones, computers and tablets are always on. Hackers are looking for information that you provide online. It is tempting to let down your guard and give away too much. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for shopping and logging into personal accounts. Also be sure to keep a separate account open for all time.