February 28th 2025.
You may have heard about the recent ordeal of Matthew Van Andel, a former employee of Disney who fell victim to a malicious AI-powered photo program. It's a scary thought, but the truth is, anyone can become a target for hackers. So, you might be wondering, how can you protect yourself from a similar situation? The Wall Street Journal has compiled a list of precautions that can make it more difficult for hackers to infiltrate your digital life. Let's take a look at some of the key points.
One of the measures that Van had taken was using a password manager to store his usernames and passwords. This can be a useful tool for personal security as it eliminates the need to remember multiple login credentials. However, the issue with Van was that he did not have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled for his password manager. For those who are not familiar, 2FA is a security system that requires users to provide two forms of identification in order to access something. Not having 2FA can make it easier for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
But even if you do have 2FA enabled, it's important to make sure that it's turned on. In Van's case, the hacker was able to access his password manager and post the contents online, making it easier for anyone to access his accounts. This is especially concerning because many people may not realize that their frequently used passwords are already available online, due to data breaches. Some password managers or operating systems have features that can alert you when your passwords have been exposed and even help you generate unique and secure ones.
Another thing to be cautious of is the "remember me" option on websites. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), hackers have been increasingly targeting "session cookies" - small bits of data that are created when you click "remember me" on a website. These cookies can give hackers access to websites that require 2FA, so it's important to be careful when using this feature, especially on sensitive websites.
Even with antivirus software in place, it's not always foolproof. As in Van's case, the AI plugin he downloaded seemed legitimate with positive reviews, but it turned out to be malicious software. Luckily, he was able to detect it using another antivirus software. So, if you're ever unsure about the safety of a plugin or free software, it's always a good idea to do a quick scan with a free antivirus software for a second opinion. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.
In the end, it's important to always be cautious and think twice before downloading or using any new software. As the saying goes, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." So, before taking any risks, ask yourself if it's really worth it. With these precautions in mind, hopefully, you can avoid falling victim to hackers and keep your digital life safe and secure.
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