How easy it is to get hacked

Malware hacked

With today’s sophisticated cybersecurity protection strategies, it may seem a hack is less likely than ten to 20 years ago. As companies upgrade their systems to advanced levels of protection, so do the hackers. It takes a higher level of hacking skill to break into today’s systems, but today’s hackers have the skills.

With today’s anti-malware products, highly skilled hackers are one step ahead of any malware updates, changing their tactics in seconds. They are so good that a malware program becomes unrecognizable, pointless, and odious with a simple change or switch of code. 

It is more complicated to hack into more advanced levels of protection. Still, more opportunities in the last 20 years have made it easier for the lesser skilled hackers to penetrate your system.

Devices using simple software, such as smartwatches, game consoles, car door and garage door openers, are easier to hack and often opens larger doors in more extensive networks. Devices using simple software are the least protected and the easiest to penetrate. 

It’s that easy. 

How do you know someone has hacked you? You notice, 

  • A ransomware message.
  • A fake antivirus message.
  • Unwanted browser toolbars.
  • Internet searches are redirected.
  • More random popups.
  • Your friends receive social media invitations from you that you didn’t send.
  • Your online password isn’t working.

The go-to recommendation is to restore your system from a backup to the way it was before the hack. A full restore is always essential, but a compromised network system cannot be trusted. Every computer is a target. 

To gain trust, Cyology Labs can run a complete audit of your system. We will flag potential holes where a hacker can penetrate and block any future attempt. 

Terry Cutler

I’m Terry Cutler, the creator of Internet Safety University, an educational system helping to defend corporations and individuals against growing cyber threats. I’m a federal government-cleared cybersecurity expert (a Certified Ethical Hacker), and the founder of Cyology Labs, a first-line security defence firm headquartered in Montréal, Canada. In 2020, I wrote a bestselling book about the secrets of internet safety from the viewpoint of an ethical hacker. I’m a frequent contributor to National & Global media coverage about cyber-crime, spying, security failures, internet scams, and social network dangers families and individuals face daily.