Which one was it this time? Your Instagram? Snap Chat? Gmail? Bank accounts? Let me guess, you recently received notice that <insert brand here> had a little mishap and some data may have been compromised? Or, your data got stolen during the OPM hack. Or the Equifax hack. Or the Yahoo hack. Whatever it is, somehow, somewhere, your information was stolen. P.S. if you want a really good listen to what hackers can do, listen to this episode from the podcast /Reply-All/.
But you say, I was using two-factor authentication! I promise. That’s great, it really is, but unfortunately in today’s world, that doesn’t mean you’re safe anymore. I’ll talk about that in a bit.
Maybe you’re just sharing too much information on social media.
Maybe the hacker got lucky. Probably not.
So let’s talk through a few different areas where I see people making mistakes.
Scenario 1
Girl on Instagram (not naming names here) posts on her Instagram stories that two of her accounts got hacked. She goes on t1o say that many of her accounts all had some variation of the same password and she has no idea how she got hacked. I didn’t ask her what that password was, nor did she share that information (smart), but I spent some time going back and forth with her, giving her tips of what to do.
The thing is, this is more common than it should be, but it seems like most people are too worried or nervous to talk about it, same as in the commercial world (think about all these big box stores or companies that take months if not longer to come out about a compromise). How do we change this? Well one, it’s not a death sentence if you’re hacked, and two, it’s not something you should be embarrassed about. Hackers are getting better, and we’re all sharing more information on the internet than ever before.
If you’re an influencer or are aspiring to be an influencer, you’re probably posting a lot. Well, what are you posting about? Pictures of where you live? Places you frequent? Your family? Throwbacks from high school? Embarrassing stories? Now take a second to think about how compiling all that information could paint a pretty substantial file on you. Look through the last few weeks or month of your Instagram posts and stories, your blog posts, your Facebook.. Now think about it from an outsider’s point of view. If you were someone else looking into your life from the outside, what kind of story are you telling? Do your pictures have any sensitive information (address, delivery boxes, favorite coffee shops, and don’t laugh, I’ve seen it all)? You might ask how your favorite coffee shop could be considered sensitive. Well, if you go there every Saturday morning at 11am, and then again every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm, you’re setting a pattern for yourself. All I have to do is set up shop an hour before you get there and look busy. Then I can use a multitude of tools in an attempt to hi-jack your information, or I could just strike up a conversation with you based on the information I already have. You say you don’t talk to strangers? Well what if I know your favorite obscure band or sports team and I happen to have that shirt on? You’re probably going to be more inclined to at least have a short conversation with me now aren’t you?
Scenario 2
Now let’s think about those security questions we’ve answered again and again when we set up an account so if we lose our password we can still get in. What city were you born in? What was your first pet’s name? What was your first car? What is your mother’s maiden name? What is your paternal grandfather’s first name? What is your best friends first name? What is your favorite color? What is your favorite food?
Now remember when the quarantine started and everyone was posting quizzes on Facebook and Instagram? Let’s take a second and think about what kind of questions they were asking.
I’ll give you a couple minutes.
Now what kind of information are we seeing here? They are a lot of the same questions, aren’t they?
How many times did you see something like this go around? Well, I’m glad that at least went somewhat viral because it’s true. Yes, of course that isn’t a real quiz, they’re just making light of the fact many of these quizzes are indeed allowing the bad guy to learn a lot of information about you.
I’ve talked a little about phishing and social engineering, both here and on the podcast, but it’s worth repeating. People share a lot of information about themselves on the internet. We all have a desire to be liked, to be respected, to fit in. Social media makes that a lot easier, but it also raises the risk of what information people can use when they are targeting someone or something. You can change your privacy settings to avoid public posts, but what happens when you get a new friend request from an attractive individual you may or may not have met at the bar last weekend? Do you blindly accept it? This is another way that attackers are able to bypass the “friends only” settings. Again, we all want to be liked and to have friends. It’s not a bad thing, as long as we recognize it as a potential bias or flaw at times.
Scenario 3
Sometimes I join random groups on Facebook so I can get an idea of what the non-tech world is doing. Sometime last week someone posted this in one of those groups:
My first reaction was confusion, then a little bit of shock, then a lot more confusion. Maybe it’s a generational thing, but then again I’m not that old and I still can’t get behind TikTok either. Or maybe I’m just paranoid because I work in cybersecurity.
By the end of the day I think there were over 100 comments on this, many of them showing pictures that they’ve airdropped to strangers in Target, or have received themselves, waiting in line at the grocery store or walking through the airport. What?! Airdrop is really handy at times, I get it. I’ve used it a handful of times, but my airdrop is usually turned off, and when it’s on, I have it so only contacts can send to me. I also don’t have many contacts, so it might as well be off 😉
I then did a quick google search of airdrop attacks, I’m talking two minutes total here. There’s this one from December 2019 where hackers can block iPhones and iPads via Airdrop attacks. There was this one in August of 2019 that would show your phone number and passwords to malicious third parties. Oh and don’t forget, you can also hide malware inside images using an old technique known as steganography.
Can we see why hacking might be occurring more and more?
Here’s an experiment, influencer or not. Look back at the last few months of your posts across your most used social media outlet. Or even better, look back to your first Facebook or Instagram pictures and posts. What kind of information are you finding?
How about some potential good news. In 2016, Norton released a report where they surveyed 21,000 people in 21 countries. According to this report, 76% reported sharing passwords and engaging in risky behaviors despite knowing they need to actively protect themselves; 44% said they felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information they’re responsible to safeguard (raises hand, guilty); and 35% have at least one unprotected device. Does it get better with the more recent 2019 report? Depends on how you define this word “better”. A little over 10,000 individuals from 10 countries were polled, with 66% saying they have chosen not to download an app or use a service based on its privacy policy (good!); 84% reporting taking at least one step to protect their online activities; 60% saying it is impossible to protect their privacy or that it is too late to do so because their information is already out there; and 66% that are worried their identity will be stolen.
There’s still a lot to do, we are seeing a little progress between 2016 and now, but we can see there is still a lot of fear out there. The 84% that reported taking steps to protecting their online activities is huge, but it was also reported that these were very basic activities such as clearing cookies or limiting information shared online, not using VPNs, using anonymous payment methods, or even going so far as to delete social media accounts. Progress is progress though. Little by little I hope people will start to see they don’t have to lock down their entire lives, but they can take steps to make it more secure at least.
Do you want help in securing things? Let me know, I can try and help out.
499 comments
HIRE CERTIFIED ETHEREUM / USDT & BITCOIN RECOVERY EXPERT HERE / REVENANT CYBER HACKER
I never imagined that one bad decision could shatter my life the way it did. Like many people, I was drawn into cryptocurrency by stories of financial freedom and security for my family. When an online “recovery scheme” promised to help me retrieve funds I had previously lost, I was desperate and hopeful. Instead, I walked straight into another trap. Within weeks, $172,000, my life savings, was gone. The realization was devastating. I couldn’t sleep. I avoided my family because I didn’t know how to explain that everything I had worked for over the years had vanished in silence, stolen by faceless scammers hiding behind fake platforms and convincing words. Every unanswered email and every ignored message felt like another punch to the chest. I truly believed my future was over. I reported the incident to different platforms and authorities, but the responses were cold and discouraging. I was told crypto losses were “almost impossible” to recover. That sentence echoed in my mind daily. I felt ashamed, broken, and completely alone. That was when I came across REVENANT CYBER HACKER. At first, I was skeptical. After being scammed once, trusting anyone again felt impossible. But from the very first consultation, something was different. They listened, really listened to my story without judgment. They explained the process clearly, showed verifiable evidence of past recoveries, and never made unrealistic promises. REVENANT CYBER HACKER treated my case with urgency and professionalism. Their team traced blockchain transactions, identified wallet movements, and coordinated the recovery process step by step, keeping me informed throughout. For the first time in months, I felt a sense of hope. When I received confirmation that my $172,000 had been successfully recovered, I broke down in tears. It wasn’t just about the money; it was about getting my life back. REVENANT CYBER HACKER restored more than my funds; they restored my dignity, my peace of mind, and my belief that justice is still possible in the digital world. Today, I share my story so others don’t lose hope. If you feel trapped, ashamed, or helpless after a crypto scam, know this: recovery is possible. REVENANT CYBER HACKER gave me a second chance when I needed it most.
Email : revenantcyberhacker ( @ ) gmail (. ) com
Telegram: revenantcyberhacker
WhatsApp: + 1 (208) 425-8584
WhatsApp: + 1 (913) 820-0739
Website https://www.revenantcyberhacker.com
ETHEREUM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE: CAPITAL CRYPTO RECOVER HELPED ME RECOVER $98,000 WORTH OF LOST ETH
In cases of cryptocurrency scams, having accurate information and trusted support is essential. I would like to recommend Capital Crypto Recover Service, a professional team that specializes in assisting individuals with the recovery of lost or stolen Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH). Their experienced experts are dedicated to helping victims of digital asset fraud by carefully analyzing each case, developing strategic recovery plans, Capital Crypto Recover Service knowledgeable team’s primary goals are to satisfy clients and offer significant support and working diligently toward fund retrieval. The team is committed to providing reliable assistance and maintaining a high level of client satisfaction. Based on my assessment, their reputation professionalism and a strong commitment to their clients. If you have experienced a cryptocurrency loss, you can contacting them for further assistance
Phone (Call/Text): +1 (336) 390-6684
Email: Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com
Alternate Email: Recoverycapital@fastservice.com
Website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
ETHEREUM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE: CAPITAL CRYPTO RECOVER HELPED ME RECOVER $98,000 WORTH OF LOST ETH
In cases of cryptocurrency scams, having accurate information and trusted support is essential. I would like to recommend Capital Crypto Recover Service, a professional team that specializes in assisting individuals with the recovery of lost or stolen Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH). Their experienced experts are dedicated to helping victims of digital asset fraud by carefully analyzing each case, developing strategic recovery plans, Capital Crypto Recover Service knowledgeable team’s primary goals are to satisfy clients and offer significant support and working diligently toward fund retrieval. The team is committed to providing reliable assistance and maintaining a high level of client satisfaction. Based on my assessment, their reputation professionalism and a strong commitment to their clients. If you have experienced a cryptocurrency loss, you can contacting them for further assistance
Phone (Call/Text): +1 (336) 390-6684
Email: Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com
Alternate Email: Recoverycapital@fastservice.com
Website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
ETHEREUM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE: CAPITAL CRYPTO RECOVER HELPED ME RECOVER $98,000 WORTH OF LOST ETH
In cases of cryptocurrency scams, having accurate information and trusted support is essential. I would like to recommend Capital Crypto Recover Service, a professional team that specializes in assisting individuals with the recovery of lost or stolen Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH). Their experienced experts are dedicated to helping victims of digital asset fraud by carefully analyzing each case, developing strategic recovery plans, Capital Crypto Recover Service knowledgeable team’s primary goals are to satisfy clients and offer significant support and working diligently toward fund retrieval. The team is committed to providing reliable assistance and maintaining a high level of client satisfaction. Based on my assessment, their reputation professionalism and a strong commitment to their clients. If you have experienced a cryptocurrency loss, you can contacting them for further assistance
Phone (Call/Text): +1 (336) 390-6684
Email: Capitalcryptorecover@zohomail.com
Alternate Email: Recoverycapital@fastservice.com
Website: https://recovercapital.wixsite.com/capital-crypto-rec-1
My husband has been frequently deleting all messages for the last couple of days from his phone and he didn’t know i was peeping at him, then i asked him why he was deleting all messages from his phone but he claimed that his phone memory was full and needed more space. Immediately I went in search of a hacker who can get me deleted information and contents from my husband’s phone and luckily for me i came across this impeccable ethical hacker ( hackerspytech @gmail com ), this hacker got the job done for me and provided me with results and i saw that my husband has been lying to me. He was simply deleting all pictures, call logs, chats and text messages between him and his secret lover so i wont get to see what he has been doing at my back. Thank God for reputable hackers who are ready to help. I must say am really impressed with the services i got from The hacker Detective and am here to say a very big thank you: contact him on hackerspytech @gmail com
Hello everyone i want to use this medium to appreciate the greatest spell caster Priest Ade for restoring my broken marriage, My husband and i have been having problems for months now we use to be very sweet but all of a sudden everything changed he was now distant from me until one day he told me he wanted a divorce which left me devastated i cried my eyes out so i told my friend about all that has been going on, She introduced me to Priest Ade he told me not to worry he told me all i needed to do and he assured me that in 24 hours all that is wrong with our relationship will be fine the next day to my greatest surprise it was my husband back home apologizing I’m so happy we are closer and stronger than we have ever been, I promised to share your amazing work when i get results so this is me keeping my word, Thank you so much Priest Ade,I will leave his contact information for anyone who needs help: ancientspiritspellcast@gmail.com
Read more on his website:
https://ancientspellcast.wordpress.com
WhatsApp: +2347070518515
RECOVER YOUR LOST CRYPTO ASSETS & IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE WITH ASORE HACK INTELLIGENCE. NO UPFRONT PAYMENT REQUIRED.
Asore Corp. is a team of Cyber Intelligence, Crypto Investigation, Asset Tracing and ethical hacking experts. Working together to form a private cyber and crypto intelligence group focused on providing results.
Using the latest Cyber Tools, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), and cutting edge technology, we provide actionable intelligence to our clients.
WHY CHOOSE US?
– Expert Cyber Investigation Services —Our cyber investigators operate professionally and anonymously to crack all firewalls known to man.
– Cryptocurrency And Digital Asset Tracking — We are able to track the movement of different crypto currencies and assets. If the asset has been moved, we are able to follow it.
– Strategic Intelligence For Asset Recovery — The first step to recovery is locating recoverable assets. Our experienced team will be able to walk you through the process.
Schedule a mail session with our team of professionals today via – asorehackcorp (@) gmail (.) com to get started immediately.
BEWARE of FABRICATED reviews and testimonies endorsing tricksters, do not get scammed twice.
Disclaimer: Asore Corp. is not a law enforcement agency and not a law firm. Like all legitimate private investigators, we can guarantee specific results. We apply our expertise and resources to every case professionally and ethically.7
Dear friends online My name is Destiny Hudson And I live in the USA, Dominica I am here today to appreciate the good work of Dr Oyagu, for helping me curing my HSV 1&2 Disease, I contacted the virus from my Partner, I found out he was cheating on me, so I broke up with him, 2 month later I went to test myself in the hospital when I was seeing sore on my mouth and Private areas, I was diagnosed of HSV 1&2. I tried using the acyclovir medicine but it didn\’t help in curing it, I went on a search and found out Dr Oyagu curing people illness, and so I got his email and i was told how I can get his herbal cure, 3 days later I received his medicine after using it for 2 weeks I was tested again and was confirm negative, today I am totally free. If you are over there looking for solution email: oyaguherbalhome@gmail.com or contact him on WhatsApp +2348101755322 today and share your own testimony. And He also has herbal cure for the Following DISEASES, eczema, urethra wart, chronic problems. Herpes, Cancer, Als, Hepatitis, Diabetes, HPV ,Infections, ulcer ETC
After falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam group, I lost $354,000 worth of USDT. I thought all hope was lost from the experience of losing my hard-earned money to scammers. I was devastated and believed there was no way to recover my funds. Fortunately, I started searching for help to recover my stolen funds and I came across a lot of testimonials online about JAYWEB HACK, an agent who helps in recovery of lost bitcoin funds, I contacted JAY WEB HACK, and with their expertise, they successfully traced and recovered my stolen assets.
Their team was professional, kept me updated throughout the process, and demonstrated a deep understanding of blockchain transactions and recovery protocols. They are trusted and very reliable with a 100% successful rate record Recovery bitcoin, I’m grateful for their help and highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with lost crypto.
CONTACT: JAYWEB RECOVERY EXPERT
WhatsApp: +1 (305) 452-9075
Email: jay.webb.hack@mail.com
Website: https://jaywebbhack.wixsite.com/jayweb-recovery-spec
THE MOST CREDIBLE CRYPTO RECOVERY: TOP RECOVERY EXPERT
TOP RECOVERY EXPERT is a reliable and legitimate company that can help recover lost cryptocurrency assets. After weeks of wondering if my lost BTC could ever be restored, I realized how frequent cryptocurrency scams have become. When dealing with individuals online, especially regarding money, caution is essential. Recovering stolen cryptocurrency is possible, but it’s important not to fall victim to another scam—there are many fake “recovery companies” worldwide. Real hackers work discreetly and do not advertise themselves in such obvious ways. I personally experienced multiple scams while desperately seeking help to recover my lost funds. Finally, a friend introduced me to TOP RECOVERY EXPERT, a trustworthy and discreet team. They handle everything from securing personal or company websites to recovering cryptocurrency assets. With their help, I successfully recovered $680,000 worth of USDT in just over a week. Their professionalism, discretion, and prompt service were outstanding. If you’ve been compromised, don’t lose hope—and be careful of fraudsters posing as saviors. TOP RECOVERY EXPERT are real professionals in crypto recovery. I am living proof of their effectiveness. you can reach them by email: Toprecoveryexpert@consultant.com OR you contact their Phone Call/Text: +1 (346) 980-9102
you can visit website:https://toprecoveryexpert2.wixsite.com/consultant