Passwords are the first line of defence against hackers.”

Stating the ways to avoid getting hacked on any social networking platform, Mr. Chopra averred that “it is important for users to be cautious and mindful of their online behaviour. It can be dangerous if simple steps towards setting passwords are overlooked by consumers. Consumers can be greatly benefited if they follow some basis guidelines when on social networks, such as using strong passwords, secured gateways of access and using essential security tools such as Safe Web for Facebook to scan news feeds and identify URLs containing security risks such as phishing sites, malicious downloads and links to unsafe external sites.”

Answering the same question, Mr. Katkar said that “Facebook is also one of the most popular avenues for hackers.” To avoid hacking on Facebook, Mr. Katkar tipped to:

• Create a strong password for your Facebook account. Use non-dictionary phrases, special characters, uppercase letters, and numbers.
• Turn Secure Browsing ON.
• Ensure that only your friends can look you up on Facebook.
• Use the Login Notifications feature.
• Use the Active Sessions feature.
• Do not choose the “Keep me logged in” feature, especially in public places like cyber cafes.
• No matter where you are logged in from, always remember to log out

Apart from Facebook and social networking, net banking is getting on the nerves of the users as it has eased monetary transaction across the world. But at the same time, it has put users’ confidential information such as bank account details, etc., at risk as stealing consumers’ personal and monetary information online is a cakewalk for hackers.Both, Quick Heal and Norton, have given the following guidelines to avoid the aforesaid:

• Always choose a secured Internet connection over unsecured Wi-Fi or public network like cyber cafes, for online banking.
• A secure website will always display a “padlock” icon and its URL will begin with https.
• Use different passwords for different online accounts. This is extremely essential for your banking accounts.
• Make it a habit to check your bank account regularly.
• Always LOG OUT from your online banking account once you are done.
• Never respond to emails that seem to come from your bank or other financial entity, asking for your banking account details.
• You can cut the risk of key logging by using virtual keyboard wherever provided.
• Before using any mobile application for carrying out online banking, verify its source.
• Don’t ever give out your personal information in response to an email, a web site you’ve come to through an external link, or a pop-up screen that appears on a real Web site
• Don’t respond to unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls that request personal information.
• Never click on links or attachments contained within unsolicited emails
• Familiarize yourself with a Website’s privacy policy
• If you want to go to a merchant or financial institution’s web site, type their URL directly into your browser’s address bar.
• Check out apps before downloading them. Never download an app from a link sent in a text message
• Don’t get pressured into providing sensitive information. Phishers like to use scare tactics, and may threaten to disable an account or delay services until you update certain information. Be sure to contact the merchant directly to confirm the authenticity of their request
• Use comprehensive security software solution to combat phishing.
• Review your bank and credit card statements regularly to make sure there are no unauthorized transactions.
• If you think you’ve become a victim of ID theft or cybercrime, report it to the proper authorities immediately.

Be it a social networking account, online shopping account, personal E-mail, or net banking, one thing is common in all i.e. password. Norton mentioned about the passwords when it told the ways to avoid getting hacked on social networking platform. When asked Quick Heal, it said that “A strong password creates the difference between a successful hacking attempt and otherwise. Passwords are the first line of defence against hackers.” Quick Heal also gave some tips for creating secure passwords and these are:

• While creating a password, chuck out date of births, popular names, dictionary words, proper nouns, etc.
• Always make use of special characters, at least one uppercase letter, and numbers while creating a password.
• A good technique to come up with a fool proof password could be this – think of a phrase or a sentence, for instance, “Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead”. Now, pick the first letter of each of the words in this phrase; it will give you “htbhwd”. Reinforce this word with uppercase letter, numbers and special characters. That will give you – Htbhwd@#6482. This way, your password does not stand gibberish nor too complex to remember.
• Never use your banking account password for any other site and otherwise.

While concluding, Quick Heal also gave a list of DOs for hacking victim, who do not know what to do and where to begin from when hacked. Quick Heal recommends to:

•        Immediately reset all your passwords.
• Run an update on your security system, followed by a full system scan.
•    Go for account recovery.
• Run a check to see if there are any emails getting forwarded to anyone without your knowledge.
• Run a check on your bank account and ecommerce accounts, and check for any activity you are unaware of.
• Disable all apps associated with the affected account. For instance, if your Facebook account has been hacked, deactivate all apps associated with it.
• Inform the right authorities.

Both the experts have shared lot of valuable and precious information to avoid hacking and on how to deal when hacked. Though experts told a lot of DOs and DON’Ts, but what is common in the suggestions of both is strong passwords. Norton and Quick Heal both have emphasized on creating strong and unique passwords to avoid getting hacked. Hope you like our story and our experts’ advice will help you avoid getting victimized by hackers.

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