Hacking

Originally, the term was used more to describe more creative and experimental uses of technology. This is probably one reason why the term has also emerged in other contexts, such as "hacks" for the products of a well-known Swedish furniture store or "life hacks." Creative everyday solutions like these are designed to make our lives easier. It’s not the end of the world if a shelving system you assembled doesn’t end up working. But it’s a different situation if your computer has been hacked.

Recognizing and exploiting vulnerabilities – that’s the basic principle of hacking. This is how people try to gain access to computer systems or networks – either individually or as part of an organized hacker group. Motivations for these actions can vary massively, from curiosity and a desire for recognition to political activism and criminal intent. 

White hat: 
White hat hackers use their skills to find and eliminate security gaps in a legal manner. They are ethically motivated and support organizations and companies in making their systems more secure.

Black hat:
Black hat hackers illegally steal data, cause system failures, or install malware. Black hat hacking is motivated by criminal intent. This type of hacking is often used to extort money.

Gray hat:
Gray hat hacking is neither black nor white: while the hackers are not pursuing criminal motives, their actions do sometimes violate the law.

Hacking is no longer just a phenomenon used to blackmail large companies. Private individuals can also be affected. Most of us are now online every day, disclosing data, using social media, and much more. The World Wide Web offers endless possibilities. But there are also a few risks that users should be aware of. Only this way can they take action and protect themselves better. 

There are various methods for hacking systems or networks and obtaining information from them. These are just a few:

• Phishing
• Malware 
• Ransomware

Once hacker’s have broken into your device, they can control it and your data. It’s therefore particularly important to know the risks and protect yourself. Apps such as the Zurich Cyber Security App combine various different prevention measures, such as checking whether your data appears on the darknet (identity protection). You will also be warned about insecure WLAN connections or suspicious website links. Functions such as these provide improved protection against hacking attacks.

In addition to prevention, it’s also important to know how to react correctly if you do get hacked.

If you find can no longer log in to your device, it’s working differently than usual, and strange messages are sent in your name on social media, this could mean you’ve been hacked. The most important thing now is to stay calm and take the right steps:

• If you use Cyber – Prevention from Zurich, call IT Assistance first.
• Disconnect the affected device from the Internet immediately.
• If necessary, have all your bank cards blocked immediately.
• Check which data and systems are affected to understand the scope of the hacking.

This list is not exhaustive, and you may need to take further steps depending on the circumstances. For example, it may make sense to involve the police in the event of identity theft. .

Hacking already has several different faces, whether it relates to the hacker’s motivation, intention, or approach. Data theft today is far more than just someone in a black hood sitting in front of a computer. And we can’t expect things to stand still in the future, either.

Digitization is in full swing. The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly widespread, with its voice assistants, cameras, and microphones. There are more and more things that make our everyday lives easier and inspire us. At the same time, the playing field for hacking is getting ever bigger, and the methods uses ever more sophisticated. It remains to be seen what will become of the image of the black hood in the future. 

You can improve your online security with a few simple steps

• Password security
• Identity protection
• Secure surfing
• Security in your home office

You can find more exciting topics in our cyber guide.