“But I’m So Careful!” How Do Hackers Get Passwords?

Summary: This 3-minute article explains how cybercriminals can steal your passwords. Learn how to protect and manage your passwords. Also, learn how to establish password best practices for your company. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss the best cyber threat protection possible for your SMB.

Selecting and remembering passwords has become part of our lives. They are more popular than other authenticating measures such as facial recognition because they are easy, free and require no additional hardware. Unfortunately, as with many things that are simple to use and cost-free, passwords are enticing vulnerabilities that are part of cybercriminals’ target landscape. There are several common methods hackers use to steal passwords:

• Phishing – Phishing is the most widespread cyberattack used by hackers. It is a social engineering scheme that tricks users by using fake domains and logos disguised as legitimate, trusted sources to prompt them to supply their credentials. Those credentials include passwords, user names, account numbers and other personal data that a user generally would keep private.
• Password Spraying – Password Spraying is a technique used by hackers using a list of legitimate user accounts and running them against a long list of common passwords. If the cybercriminal has enough time, they can automatedly run a very long list of possible passwords against user names.
• Credentials Stuffing – Credential Stuffing is similar to Password Spraying. It is also known as list cleaning and breach replay. Stuffing runs lists of current stolen credentials such as passwords, against many accounts, looking for a match. IT experts believe that every day, millions of accounts are tested by credential stuffing.
• Keylogging – Keylogging means precisely what it says. It is a type of spyware that literally “logs” every user keystroke without the user’s knowledge. Keylogging requires access to the infection of a device with keystroke malware. Once installed, the hacker will know everything a user is doing on that device, making breaching passwords and bank accounts very easy.
• Local Discovery – Although fairly low risk, local discovery is when a password is recorded on paper or saved openly in a device, whereby the cyber thief finds the password and uses it for nefarious data breaches.

How to Remember Passwords – What Are Password Managers?

Password management, part of device management, has become a complicated issue. Cybercriminals continue to get better at hacking; thus, we need more complex passwords than ever. However, remembering multiple passwords comprised of a variety of characters is no longer a simple task. Password managers are robust tools for keeping track of the unique passwords you use for multiple websites. They can also generate strong, random, multi-character passwords that will be way more secure than any you create off the top of your head. Password managers are definitely better than we are at creating and storing strong passwords. However, using password managers built into web browsers is not as safe. If you use a built-in password manager and fall victim to a cyberattack, the hacker can gain remote access to your computer and steal all your passwords in one hit. An unsecured password manager can low hackers to operate as if you turned over your master key that opens a lockbox that holds all of your keys. There are many strong password managers available. As your private data is of the utmost importance, it is well worth purchasing a secure password manager.

SMBs would be wise to invest in the expertise of a cyber security firm because securing passwords and other private data is vitally important. However, it is also a multi-layered task far beyond the average user's knowledge.

Get a DIGIGUARD Cyber Risk Analysis

As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. With each new addition of employees, devices and platforms, password vulnerabilities become more complicated. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cyber security and network security and has a wide array of solutions for small and midsized businesses to defend against cyberattacks and other network data breaches. They are cyber security experts who can ensure your confidential business and financial data has the best protection possible. Furthermore, they can establish cyber security best practices and train your employees, so they do not inadvertently open your company to a cyberattack. DIGIGUARD’s services in cyber security are up to the minute and cost-effective and will enable SMB owners to concentrate on operating their businesses without fear of a data breach.

Cyber Threat Protection

In addition to helping you defend against or recover from cybercrimes, DIGIGUARD can provide solutions that offer early detection of potential cyber threats before they happen. Furthermore, DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber vulnerability and work with you to ensure you have the best network and data protection solutions for your business.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss the prevention of cyberattacks and other cyber defense protocols to protect your SMB’s business data and stay current as new and more powerful protections are developed.