How Hackers Het Credit Card Numbers?
In July 2008, hackers broke into a computer at Wyndham Hotels. They stole tens of thousands of customer credit card records, including guest names, card numbers, expiration dates and highly sensitive data from the cards’ magnetic stripe.
It’s a company’s worst nightmare, particularly in the face of an economic downturn, and to make matters worse, Wyndham didn’t realise the theft had occurred until September. The company remains unsure about how many individual credit card accounts were negatively affected by the Wyndham incident, however, it’s safe to say today most holiday-makers will think twice before paying for their vacation on credit!
So exactly how did such an incident occur? The fraudsters involved in this plot had clearly devised an in-depth plan to steal the data, but the truth is, thousands of hackers steal credit card information on a daily basis, using far simpler tactics.
Two main strategies are commonly used by hackers to access credit card information: through password theft and via a virus or Trojan horse.
Password Theft
Cracking someone’s password is the most common method that hackers use to bypass security software, and access data such as your credit card information.
A password is really just a simple string of letters, numbers and special characters – and, subsequently, there are a finite amount of combinations that can be created. A powerful computer will be able to eventually crack any password, no matter how long or complicated it is, but you can do your best to thwart their efforts.
As a consumer, your best bet in protecting yourself is to create the strongest password possible. This means a unique combination of letters and numbers, special characters if you can remember them, and even a mix of upper and lower cases if possible. The greater the strength of your password, the longer it takes for the computer to crack – and the longer it takes to crack, the greater the risk of the hacker being caught. Simple passwords will get cracked first, so aim for long, complex, and unusual combinations.
Worms, Viruses and Trojan Horses
Viruses can manifest themselves in all shapes and sizes, and have many – mostly nasty – purposes. Some viruses are written to get rid of your files, and others are developed to send out lots of spam – but the extreme viruses will infect your computer and collect valuable information. These are called Trojan Horses.
A Trojan Horse will typically install itself and run covertly in the background, and the user of the computer – that’s you – is none the wiser that it’s even there. It sits silently and collects data on everything you are doing, from logging into your internet banking to making online purchases, and then sends that information back to its creator.
What must be noted about Trojan Horses is that you must open the virus for it to be enabled – so if you practice extreme caution when browsing the web and opening emails, you should be able to avoid any corruption.
If you receive an email from ‘Jenny Shields’ with an attachment that says ‘Great_picture.exe’, for example, and you don’t know anyone called Jenny Shields, then delete the email immediately. When surfing the internet, if a bright and flashy pop-up demands your attention to claim a prize, don’t click on it – it’s a scam. Practicing common sense will definitely help you avoid becoming a victim.
Anti-virus and anti-spyware software should also be considered to aid in keeping your identity safe. Usually, the software will search and find viruses on your computer and in your inbox. It’s available for free, and the protection it offers could save you a lot of money, time, and hassle in the long term.
By enforcing these simple rules into your day to day life and using a trusted credit card can immediately lower the risk you’re at from fraudsters infiltrating your life!