Knowing that you have been hacked is not so easy. You computer doesn't usually tell when you have been hacked. And hackers want to keep it that way, so they can keep coming back to see what else they can do or find. There are a handful of signs that indicate a hacker may have invaded a network or a computer you use. Some of these may sound familiar, perhaps you've been a victim...without knowing it. Have any of the following happened to you?
Have any of the following happened to you?
Someone used one of your credit accounts. Online identity theft is common. If you use credit cards online, that could be an indication a hacker was the culprit.
You start receiving odd email messages. Friends start telling you they've received strange emails from you (that you never sent), or you notice messages in your Sent folder you didn't write...these are clear signs a hack has likely happened.
You notice strange browser activity. Some hackers move right into a computer and control it as if they're in front of it. If you ever notice browser activity that isn't yours (or someone else's in your family), that could mean trouble.
Here are other situations that alarm you that you have been hacked:
You can't update your system. Malware, which may have been put there by a hacker, can prevent you from downloading the latest system or antivirus updates.
Your computer runs slower than usual. Internet connectivity has gotten better over the years, so if you notice your connection slowing down, it's possible there's someone using your bandwidth—it could be as simple as someone using your unsecured wireless connection or as bad as a stealth hacker downloading data from your hard drive.
Strange things are happening onscreen. Except for annoying, intrusive online ads, there shouldn't be too many onscreen surprises. If you see strange things—toolbars, pop-ups, new programs you didn't have before—it's likely you've been hacked.
The point to all of this is if you're lucky, you've never been hacked. Or is it that it's already happened, but you're not aware of it? That's why it's important that you know what to look for. So, if you now suspect you might be the victim of some computer foul play, you should go online for tips and remedies for setting things right.
