A cybersecurity expert has revealed the five steps he takes to fight off hackers online.
Jake Moore has been a cyber crime expert for 13 years and formerly worked as the head of digital forensics for Dorset Police.
He said: ‘I find it interesting that the more I talk to people about basic cyber security, the more I realise that people either don’t know about it, or they just put it off.
‘It’s like doing your insurance. It is a bit boring. It’s all about that balance between security and convenience.’
Read on below as the cybersecurity expert shares his top tips to keep yourself safe online.
Never send text messages
Sharing his first tip, Jake revealed that he would never send an SMS text or even an iMessage because he says they ‘are too vulnerable to hacking, as they can be intercepted by third-party software. ‘
Alternatively, he advises only sending messages via WhatsApp, because the platform offers end-to-end encryption, meaning that messages sent between you and another user cannot be intercepted by anyone.
Speaking to iNews, Jake commented: ‘Going one step further. You can use platforms such as Signal. Everyone that I speak to in cyber security will use Signal for messaging as it is extremely privacy focused’.
‘Both WhatsApp and Signal are encrypted, but Signal collects less meta-data about its users: ‘And you can add more features such as disappearing messages.’
Always update your phone as soon as possible
Moving on to his next tip, Moore says it is best to automatically update your phone and computer software.
He said: ‘There are criminals that are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to exploit in current operating systems, meaning that there are particular ways that I might be able to send you a message that would mean I can access your microphone or your video.’
‘There is some very impressive malware out there. Apple will then find out about this vulnerability, patch that problem, and release it in the next update.’
Never download TikTok
Jake’s next piece of advice is unlikely to go down with Gen Z phone users, given the popularity of TikTok among their age bracket.
Jake said he would be reticent about using the app as ‘lots of governments around the world are a bit nervous about using Chinese apps.’
Explaining why this might be the case, he said: ‘The amount of data that Tiktok tracks naturally, even when you tell it not to, is worrying.’
He continued: ‘As soon as you start using these apps that are media and content heavy, you start offering by default access to the microphone, and your photo library.
‘Most people are not even thinking twice before offering these apps even more access to their phone.’
Hide your phone if you receive an unplanned security text
As part of his job, Moore has been able to take over WhatsApp accounts just by sitting next to someone at a café or restaurant. ‘You would begin talking to someone and ask for their number,’ he explains.
‘I would then log in to WhatsApp on my spare phone with their number and then watch for the authentication code that is texted to them.
‘Most people just assume the text must be an error, but scammers would look over your shoulder to read the code. I have been able to take control of someone’s account just by doing that.’
With a scenario such as this in mind, you should always shield codes for accounts if out and about to make sure nobody else can access them.
Protect everything with a password – including your photos
While using the same combination of letters and numbers for passwords across multiple accounts makes your life easier, it also makes it more straightforward for your information to be compromised.
As a result, Jake suggests using a password manager that gives a unique code for every account, which is saved and encrypted using security software.
The online security expert commented: ‘I keep my important documents in there too, such as passport information.
‘And on an iPhone, you can actually lock your photo library behind Face ID, so if someone had access to your phone, they still wouldn’t be able to view them.’
Keep your webcam covered
Moore says he always has his laptop webcam covered when not using it as criminals can hack into it to record footage of you when you least expect it.
‘It is rare, but cyber criminals have been known to hack into personal computers and record webcam footage while a person is undressing or having sex.
He added: ‘There is malware out there that allows people to hack into your camera and turn it on remotely, which is horrendous’.
‘Footage has been threatened to be posted out to family and friends which is terrifying for the victim’.