Steer Clear of These 7 Unpopular Cybersecurity Threats

There is a growing concern regarding data security and privacy. But apart from data breaches, there are several lesser-known attacks out there, too, which most people are not familiar with.

Here are 7 of the simplest cybersecurity threats you need to steer clear of:

Avoid installing extra browser extensions

You can integrate additional features and functionalities to your existing browser with the right kind of browser extensions. But like any other software, you need to inspect these add-ons as well. They can see everything that you do online, after all.

You might end up selling your browsing data by going with the wrong extension. It could install extra software on your laptop/desktop by itself and irritate you by ramming pop-up ads on your face. So, keep the number of browser extensions to the minimum and stick with the ones you know and trust.

Adopt the same manner for spotting safe extensions the way you identify genuine and safe apps. Research into the background of the extensions, read the permissions they require and go through customer reviews as well.

It’s always wise to stick to the extensions you find useful already.

Do not plug in rogue USB Sticks

One may not pay much heed to a small USB stick, but these portable drives could carry serious threats if they have been engineered for such. They will cause havoc as soon as you plug them in. So, you should be very careful while connecting any USB drive to your computer, especially if you are unaware of its origin.

Even if the USB is not configured to unleash a payload upon plugging in, it could carry viruses in disguise, such as email attachments. Do not let curiosity get the better of you as studies reveal people are curious as to see what is in a rogue USB they have come across.

Along with applying the right cautions, you have to apply the regular rules against this kind of threat. See that your operating computer system is up to date and has all the security tools are installed and regularly. Always run a virus scan if you are unsure about the files on a USB drive.

Charging Cables with malicious viruses

You get standard charging cables with your gadgets. They are to power up your devices and also sync music, too. But engineered cables that look like regular ones can do a lot of damage. Some time ago, some fake lightning cables surfaced. These can be mass-produced and though they look genuine wires, but could let hackers let remote access to a device after they are plugged in.

The end-user uses a tampered cable and then agree to trust this computer. We are guilty of dismissing the alert more than often. So, always use the cables you get with your devices or from sources you can trust or are reputable.

Do not take bogus online quizzes

You and your friends must have indulged in seemingly harmless quizzes on Facebook to know what kind of bread you are or what is your spirit animal, etc. Some of these quizzes can be used to harvest personal data, which you don’t realize you are giving away.

These quizzes were used to build up detailed profiles of people as well as their friends. These quizzes collect your answer to the quizzes, as well as other information linked to the Facebook accounts. If you note, you’ll see that these fun quizzes ask for your data, such as the name of your pet, the area you live in, and other info which a person could use to impersonate you.

Be careful of anything asking for your personal information or personal photos.

Smart Homes

With the rise of smart homes, hackers have found a whole new area to invest their efforts in. They now have a set of equipment to try and target that could lead to doors that you cannot lock or the security camera footage of your home getting viewed by multiple people.

To keep your smart homes secure, you need to start with cautious shopping. Stick to reputable and well-known brands that have a solid track record in hardware. Ensure that your smart home devices and your router acts are updated with the latest software. Many reputable smart home devices automatically do this. Take care of your devices, and these include your phones as well. Someone could install Xnspy spyware on it and monitor all of your digital footprints remotely.

If your smart home accounts and devices require passwords, see that you never stick with the default password. Always pick a long, difficult-to-guess password that you do not use anywhere else. Add turn on two-factor authentication as an additional protection layer.

Pay Attention to Zombie Accounts

We are living in a connected world. And in such a fast-paced age, it becomes easy to lose track of all the social media, job-finding apps, and other sites we download and use. Every account that you leave behind or stop using could be hacked.

You must take out time to shut these accounts down rather than uninstalling the relevant app from the phone. If you suffer a data breach from any of those suffers a breach, there will be no information about you if you have scrubbed the account clean. Check the third-party apps and services which are synced with your main accounts periodically. They provide an easy target to hackers. Delete the ones you are not using actively.

Photos Leaking Information

Now, there is nothing wrong with posting your photos on your favorite social platforms, but you should always think twice about the possibility of people stealing information from your photos you have uploaded on public settings. Especially the ones you took near or in your home or at the workplace.

Though a lot of apps such as Facebook and Instagram remove the location data automatically from your photos, there are apps like Google Photos that keep this data with the file after it’s been shared. Whether you decide to keep the original location data away, the associate check-in on social media that could slide the location right back in.

Information such as knowing where you eat lunch daily, where you work, and the road you live on could allow a person to help to run an identity theft scam and get past security questions of your email ID or social media accounts. Your public photos should say less about you and should not reveal personal information about you. And with the worst kind of stalkers, it only requires some reflection in your eyes for them to figure out your location.

Pay attention to the things around you. Think of ways how someone could misuse or steal your information. Take care, and you will be safe.