Skip to main content
HomeThe Web Writer Spotlight

- News, tips, inspiration you can trust to thrive in today’s digital age.

Search form

Main menu

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Business & Economy
  • Tech & Trends
  • Health & Style
  • Arts & Culture
  • Contact Us
 

How to Safeguard Your Online Accounts Against Hacking

George Mathews January 7, 2020

The first line of defense against cyber-attacks and unauthorized access to your online accounts is your password, whether it is your email, social media, or online banking accounts.

Your passwords are very important. They’re what keep your personal accounts private and secure. If you use rotating and notoriously easy passwords, you’re exposing yourself to an account breach. And account breaches can be very damaging to you and your business.

Cybersecurity statistics and trends show that the risk of hackers stealing your passwords and leaking your account info is increasing. It is, therefore, vital that you learn how to create a strong password in order to ensure optimal security for your sensitive information.

 

Password Security Measures to Protect Yourself

 

Don’t use the same passwords repeatedly. It will expose you to hackers. These hackers can get into your emails and other accounts and steal confidential data.

And that could make you a victim of fraud, identity theft, or worse.

password-security-measures-to-protect-yourself.jpg

 

Hacking of account passwords is often carried out in the following ways:

 

1. Brute Force Attacks

 

Hackers often utilize automated software to guess passwords as well as usernames. The software tries every possible combination, starting with the most commonly used passwords.

So, if you have a simple password, it will be easier for them to crack it. And that’s one of the main reasons why you need a complex password combination.

 

2. Phishing

 

Some hackers access other people’s passwords through social engineering or phishing attacks. Phishing occurs when the hacker targets you with spoofed emails which look like they came from genuine organizations.

Social engineering, on the other hand, is real-world phishing- it happens over the phone.

 

3. Dictionary

 

With this technique, a hacker will run a ‘dictionary’ against your passwords. Typically, this dictionary includes some of the most common password combinations, so it’s a relatively simple and quick way to hack into weakly protected passwords.

Utilizing single-use, strong passwords for different accounts can help you safeguard yourself against dictionary hacks.

 

More Cybersecurity & Password Security Tips

 

If you want to protect your accounts and personal information, it’s important that you learn how to create a strong password. Avoid using predictable combinations such as ‘1234’ or ‘admin’. If that’s what you’re currently using, it’s time you start working on your password security.

Here're more tips to ensure that your accounts are safe and secure always.

i. Don’t use your name, sequential characters, family member’s names, and important dates like anniversaries, birthdays, or special places. All these are easier to crack, and you should never use them.

ii. Avoid using dictionary words. Hackers often run various dictionaries against your passwords when trying to crack them. And this includes English and foreign words, as well as phonetic patterns. Opening a dictionary and picking complex words at random is no longer safe. Under a brute force attack, hackers would take around three days to crack passwords with common substitutions, numbers, or substitutions.

iii. Don’t write your password down. Writing down your passwords and then leaving them somewhere accessible, particularly near your computer, makes your accounts more vulnerable to hacking. Instead of doing this, consider memorizing your passwords as this will keep them private.

Conclusion

Privacy violations, identity theft, loss of money through fraud, and other unfortunate outcomes of cyberattacks come with long-lasting repercussions. Not only does it cause financial losses, but it might also trigger reputation problems, as well as a lot of stress and anxiety.

It is extremely important that you take proactive measures to safeguard yourself and your business against the burdens of having your account hacked. Use this guide to create strong passwords that are hard to guess or crack. Also, you can learn more at privacy spark.


George Mathews is a staff writer for WebWriterSpotlight.com. He is passionate about personal growth and development.


 

Related stories

 

Major Facebook Hacking Highlights Risk of Using Social Networks to Login to Other Sites

Yahoo Sued Over Mega Hack That Left at Least Half a Billion Accounts Breached

Enhance Your Business Cybersecurity with These 7 More Steps

Cybersecurity Facts You Need to Know to Protect Your Business

Why More Cybersecurity Alliances Are Being Formed (And Their Value)

Serious Cybersecurity Concerns Threating Businesses Online

Protect Yourself from the Scary World of Online Identity Theft

Blockchain Technology Can Bolster Your Business’ Cyber Security

Common Phishing Attacks and How to Prevent Them

 

Share this article

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • pocket
  • email
  • hackernews
  • reddit
  • tumblr
  • whatsapp

bg_carousel_header_0.png

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER  newsletter icon.png

Get our best content, tips, and inspiration free in your inbox. Subscribe here >>

bg_carousel_header_0.png

 

You might also like...

Money Laundering Red Flags to Watch Out for in Your Business

The Cat, the Dog and the Fox: How 3 Animal Totems Relate to My Writing Practice

Image for How to Stop Smoking (Plus 9 Tobacco Alternatives)

9 Tobacco Alternatives to Quit Smoking

Biden Victory Heralds Boom Time for Environmental, Social and Governance Investing

10 Best Apps and Software for Busy Writers

The Key to Effective Mobile App Development

 

Join over 20,000 Subscribers!

And get our best content, news, tips, and inspiration free in your inbox. Subscribe ››

twitter.gif linkedin-gray.jpg email.gif RSS feed

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most read this week


House Cleaning: Step by Step Guide to Cleaning Your Bathroom
Jacob Martinez

woman_sleeping_pillow_perfect_ight_sleep_science
The Science of Sleep: How to Get the Perfect Night’s Sleep
Marcus Clarke

woman-smiling-thumbs-up-manage-incontinence
Stay Dry and Confident - A Guide to Managing Incontinence
Alexis Davis

How to Respond to Hot Trends Impacting Your Industry: 3 Smart Tips
David K. William

 

Got a story or tip for us?

 

Tips_0_0_0.png

Here's how to submit it →

 

 

 

Like this content? Never miss a story!

Get our best content, tips, and inspiration free in your inbox.

CAPTCHA
Please check this box to prove you are a human visitor and help us prevent automated spam submissions.
 

New stories


How to Spy on Your Competitors and Steal Their Traffic Ethically

Marc Sullivan November 22, 2023
WEBSITE TRAFFIC STRATEGY
man-using-binoculus-spy-on-competitors-steal-website traffic

Want to increase traffic to your website? You can spy on your competitors' website traffic and ethically steal some traffic. Spy website traffic for competitor analysis and traffic growth replication.

Ransomware Defense: Safeguarding Your Data with Backup Protection

George Mathews September 22, 2023
MALWARE DEFENSE
cyber-criminal-wearing-white-mask-guard-agains-malwake-back-up-data
Becoming a victim of ransomware is more probable than you might think. You need to backup your data and implement ransomware defense strategies to safeguard your data and protect yourself from malware.

Evolution of the Transport Sector: Key Changes Worth Noting

George Mathews September 21, 2023
TRANSPORT EVOLUTION
bullet-train-transport-sector-evolution-changes

From the new fastest planes for commercial air travel to widespread use of hydrogen fuel in vehicles, the transportation industry is changing and evolving faster than ever.

Unlocking the Power of Software-Defined Storage: A Comprehensive Guide

Alexis Davis September 21, 2023
DATA STORAGE SOLUTION
software-team-man-woman-software-defined-storage-concept
Many companies struggle with storage challenges like storage downtime, latency issues, and high software costs. SDS comes in handy to address these challenges, and more.

Marketing Funnels vs Customer Journey Maps: What You Should Know

Amanda DiSilvestro September 20, 2023
CUSTOMER JOURNEY MAP
man-whiteboard-marketing-funnel-customer-journey-map

The marketing funnel and customer journey map — or customer journey funnel — are similar ideas, but they mean different things and should not be used interchangeably.

3 Areas Businesses Invested in to Make it Through the Pandemic

Alicia Walker September 20, 2023
BUSINESS FOCUS & INVESTMENTS
man-office-wearing-covid-mask-pandemic-business-investments

For businesses that continued to operate throughout the pandemic and even post-Covid, investment in the right areas has never been more important.

Applications & Benefits of Mass Text Messaging Services for Reaching Users

George Mathews September 20, 2023
MASS TEXT MESSAGING
man-reading-on-smartphone-in-bed-mass_text_messaging

The benefits and applications of mass text messaging services are many. You can remind customers of their billing deadlines, outstanding balances, service schedules, and more to boost your bottom line.

Pagination

  • (Page 1)
  • Next page Next ›

Contributors blogs


Blog here »

7 Types of Content Marketing You Can Use to Boost Your Business

Phoebe Robson

 


5 Steps to Take If You're Feeling Overwhelmed by College Life

Suzanne Elly

 


Creating a Solid Fitness Plan and Workout Routine: Top Tips & Tricks

Frances Lalu

 


nodejs-IDEs

5 Best Node JS IDEs for Enhanced App Development

Kaushal Saini

 


How to Know If Someone Is Using Your Camera to Watch You

Edita Rhodes

 


Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting An On-Demand Business

Yuvrajsinh Vaghela

 


A Comprehensive Brand Building Strategy for Financial Services Entrepreneurs

Marvin Power

 


 

EXPLORE MORE ...

black-nav-bar1.png

News & Features ›


Self-Made Millionaire Founder of ThePennyHoarder Reveals Secrets for His Success

Motor Vehicles in a Ship

New York Car Shipping: Understanding Local Regulations and Requirements

British Royals Camilla, Kate, Meghan, Prince Harry arrive in horse-drawn carriage

The Royals With the Most Fake Followers - Including King Charles and Camilla


The Present & Future Benefits of CRM Solutions - Salesforce Case Study

Will iPhone 15 ‘Wonderlust’ Event Help Apple Recover $200BN Lost?

The Philippines' Rich History with Rum – A Dive into Sugar & Spirits

Mothers Are Less Wealthy Than Women Without Children, Study Finds

Painting Technicolor Futures with Innovation

UK Regions That Are Perfect for Stress-free Staycation

hor-line-light-blue.png

Tech & Trends ›


female-software-developer-development-trends

Software Development Trends Shaping the Year

Image for 5 Ways to Use Technology to Increase Efficiency and Productivity in Meetings

5 Ways to Use Technology In Meetings to Increase Efficiency & Productivity

desktop-user-best-web-dev-tools

8 Awesome Web Development Tools You Should Try


Ransomware Defense: Safeguarding Your Data with Backup Protection

Unlocking the Power of Software-Defined Storage: A Comprehensive Guide

How To Increase Your App Downloads On Google Play Store & Other App Stores

Revolutionizing Industries: The Exciting Future of Metaverse & Predictions

Compatibility of Bitcoin with AI Attracting Institutional Investors

How to Choose Software Developers to Hire: Essential Tips
 

horizontal yellow line

Arts & Culture ›


Oshea Israel and Mary Johnson Hug Image for Ties that Bind: Stories of Love and Gratitude

BOOK REVIEW: Ties That Bind: Stories of Love and Gratitude

5 Secrets of Successful Copywriting

Six Steps to Becoming a Published Author and Sharing Your Writing With the World


Common Mistakes that Doom Writing Careers

Six Simple Tips to Overcome Wedding Speech Nerves

How to Overcome Uncertainty, Doubt, & Fear - the Bane of Creatives

5 Philosophical Ideas to Make You a Better Writer (& also a Better Person)

5 Best Books on Writing for When You Need to Be Inspired

How to Build a Strong Reputation Online As a Writer

hor-line-brn.png

Business & Economy ›


Types of Dry Type Medium Voltage Transformers: Their Benefits and Applications

5 Strategies for Better Remote Employee Engagement During COVID-19

Image for Marketing Specifically to Women – Why It Can Be So Beneficial

Marketing Specifically to Women – Why It Can Be So Beneficial


How to Spy on Your Competitors and Steal Their Traffic Ethically

Evolution of the Transport Sector: Key Changes Worth Noting

Marketing Funnels vs Customer Journey Maps: What You Should Know

3 Areas Businesses Invested in to Make it Through the Pandemic

Applications & Benefits of Mass Text Messaging Services for Reaching Users

How to Proactively Embrace Tax Obligations for Business Success

Home | About | Contributors | Write for Us | Advertise | Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Contact Us

Follow Us:

twitter_e.jpg linkedin-pg.jpg email-updates_icon.jpg

© 2023 Copyright, The Web Writer Spotlight.

Committed to quality content and journalistic ethics.

RSS rss

Search WWS search-icon-trans_0_1.png

Webwriterspotlight.com. All rights reserved.
x
x