Would you believe that hackers now target the weirdest places such as ChatGPT and social media quizzes to steal passwords? In fact, 555 million stolen passwords have surfaced on the dark web since 2017, putting everyday users at serious risk.
The Soax team reveals these lesser-known tactics and offers actionable steps to block hackers’ access.
Your password is the single most important key to your digital life," warns Stepan Solovev, CEO & Co-founder of Soax. This line more than wakes us to the realization of how much protection our digital selves are. Yet, many are unaware of the unexpected places where hackers may scavenge for this valuable information.
The Unseen Risks in Everyday Tools
Hackers exploit everything from social media to hidden parts of your digital footprint to breach privacy. According to cybercrime statistics, 555 million stolen passwords have surfaced on the dark web since 2017. The challenge for the average user is to keep up with these ever-evolving threats.
1. Social Media Queries and Quizzes: Those innocent-looking quizzes that often ask you which movie star you resemble or what your historical character counterpart is are not always just for fun. They can be traps set to harvest answers that might relate to your security question answers or password hints.
2. ChatGPT: AI platforms like ChatGPT present new cybersecurity risks, as hackers can use these tools to generate convincing phishing emails or create malware. A Harvard Business Review article noted that AI-driven models are being increasingly exploited to automate and scale cyberattacks, leading to their position as a growing threat in the digital world.
3. Browser Autofill: The autofill features on browsers like Chrome and Safari save a lot of time but are quite risky. Hackers, with the help of malware like keyloggers or trojans, are easily able to extract the stored passwords in case they get access to your device.
4. Home Devices: Smart home devices are so convenient, but, unfortunately, many of these devices hardly feature the best security features. Devices that are poorly configured or left with default configurations can easily be accessed and might compromise every device connected.
5. Previous Data Breaches: Many users don't even know their data could have been compromised because of past leaks. Abusers can get old databases and try to use those recycled passwords on different services.
How to Block Hackers' Access to Your Passwords
Protecting yourself does not require cutting-edge technology but a vigilant and proactive approach. Here are several actionable steps recommended by Stepan Solovev:
- Update Your Privacy Settings: Regularly adjust your social media settings to ensure you're not oversharing personal information.
- Utilize Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account: Opt for long, complex passwords and manage them with a reputable password manager.
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it much harder for hackers to intercept data when you're using public Wi-Fi or other insecure networks.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for hackers to gain unauthorized access.
- Secure Your Home Network: Change the default password of every device. Keep your Wi-Fi network locked down with a strong password.
Stepan Solovev notes that it is extremely important to keep one's awareness high: "As important as the technology you use is the awareness of checking all the time the digital profile's integrity and best practices when using passwords. Strong practice of checking the integrity of digital profiles and good practices in password security harden the target significantly."
The next time you fill out a fun online quiz, use an AI tool, or install a new smart device, remember that these everyday actions could impact your security. Taking proactive steps not only nullifies the threats but also fortifies your digital presence against evolving cyber-attacks, making the online world a safer space for everyone.
