Protection from password theft
A type of malware has entered the digital criminals’ arsenal, and it allows them to extract consumers’ digital data. Cyber attacks are becoming more dangerous. Examples of this are malware, known as password stealers. Recent Kaspersky data has shown that the number of people targeted by password stealers has increased in the first half of 2018. To note, the number of people from 600,000 rose to 940,000 during the same period in 2019.
Analysts say that quite often this information is sensitive. Frequently, it includes details such as logins and passwords to different accounts, as well as financial data. It also includes things like stored form data and stored payment details.
Additionally, some families of this type of malware can steal browser cookies. Other types of user files vulnerable are those from desktop locations, as well as application files like messenger services.
Kaspersky has found that there has been a high level of activity from stealers in Europe and Asia in the last six months. The most common target of these attacks were users in Russia, India, Brazil, Germany and the United States.
“Modern consumers are proving to be increasingly active online and understandably rely on the Internet to carry out various tasks within their daily lives. As such, their digital profiles are constantly being filled with more and more data and information, making them a lucrative target for criminals as they can profit in numerous ways down the line,” the companies’ analysis states.
As its analysts say, “By securely storing passwords and credentials, consumers can use their favorite online services with confidence that their information will not be compromised. This should also be backed up by the installation of a security solution, as no one can always be that careful.”
Kaspersky Recommendations
You can take some steps to make sure you are secure:
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Don’t give your passwords or personal information to friends or family. They might email an attachment that opens malware. Don’t post them on forums or social media, either.
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Do your best to keep all installations and products up-to-date with the latest patches. These will provide the most updated security and are less likely to become infected by malware.
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Feel more secure with a reliable password management solution. It will securely store your passwords and personal information including passports, driver’s licences and bank cards.
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Author: PC-GR
The World of Technology
