As a computer service company owner in Louisville, KY. for the past few years the prevalence of people calling me saying “I’m hacked” has continued to escalate. As technology continues to rapidly advance, cybersecurity threats become more prevalent. However, it is not usually the case that your computer is hacked. Often, people mistakenly blame hacking for a problem that is their own fault.
Here are some examples of such scenarios:
1. Forgotten Passwords: Many times, users lose access to their accounts due to forgetting their password. Instead of seeking assistance from the platform, they tend to believe that a hacker breached their account. Most of them do not realize that they have simply forgotten their password or have forgotten they changed it and blame hackers for a user created problem.
2. Third-Party Programs and Garbage Software: Many users install applications or software from various websites without verifying their authenticity. I routinely find machines with anywhere from one to twenty pieces of garbage software installed. Often the user is playing games when doing this but the software can come from other sources. It can also be bundled with legitimate software, as well. Therefore, it is vital to install applications from trusted sources only or check with a local computer service company about any suspicious software that seems to have “appeared” out of nowhere.
3. People routinely call 1-800 numbers after they have accidently landed on a fake website on the internet or getting a browser infection that won’t let them close their browser.
Often times these sites sound an alarm and tell the user they have done something wrong and need to contact Microsoft, Norton, or other trusted websites via the number on the screen. This is not a hack – it’s a straight-out scam. If you call the number and give remote access to your computer you can be conned out of a payment for bogus services or even your entire bank account.
4. Sometimes I get a call from a customer claiming “My Facebook was hacked.” This is rarely the case. Usually, a third part has right clicked on the photo, set up a new Facebook Page on your behalf, and attempted to add your friends back so they can later attempt to scam your friends out of money. This is not a hack – it’s more a forgery, rather.
In conclusion, users should avoid blaming hackers for every issue that they face regarding their digital devices. Malware, tech support scams, IRS scams, bogus sham and scam phone calls, fake Facebook pages, phishing emails, drive-by browser pseudo-infections, and other scam attempts are just a few of the risks internet users face and mistake for hacking.
It is increasingly essential for computer users to educate themselves of online risks and take necessary cybersecurity measures to protect themselves. Also, you might want to think about getting a local computer repair and service person they trust so they can have a consultant to discuss these matters. But remember – you probably weren’t hacked – you probably just made a bad decision.
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