### Common Hacking Techniques
1. **Malware**:
- **Description**: Malicious software comprising viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware.
- **How it works**: Most of the time, it spreads via infected email attachments, downloads, or malicious links.
2. **Phishing**:
- Description: A technique where an attacker masquerades as some sort of trusted source to encourage users to reveal personal details.
- How it works: It is typically done via spoofed emails or messaging, which contain links to a duplicate, but phony, website.
3. **Social Engineering:**
- Description: Manipulating individuals into revealing sensitive information.
- **How it works:** The attackers may pretend to be the tech support or other important people to gain access to devices or accounts.
4. **Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities**:
- **Description**: Taking advantage of the flaws in software to gain unauthorized access.
- **How it works**: Attackers use specific tools or scripts to exploit known vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, or network services.
5. **Brute Force Attacks**:
- **Description**: A password or encryption key guessing attack using exhaustive methods.
- **How it works**: Attackers make use of automated tools that insert many different combinations to come up with the right one.
6. **Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks**:
- **Description**: Interception of traffic between two parties, which would steal information.
- **How it works: Attackers will employ the use of unsecured Wi-Fi networks to either eavesdrop on conversations or the process of data transfer.
7. **Network Sniffing**:
- **Description**: Capturing and monitoring unencrypted data while it is in transit over a network.
- **How it works: Tools are employed to sniff the traffic on unsecured networks, thereby enabling attackers to obtain sensitive information.
### Preventive Measures
1. **Use Strong Passwords:
- Utilize a password that uses an assortment of uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Use unique passwords for different accounts.
2. **Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**:
- In addition to your password for further security to verify that you are actually who you say you are in accessing your account or system.
3. **Keep Software Current**:
- Keep operating systems, applications, and anti-virus software updated to defend against known vulnerabilities.
4. **Install Antivirus and Anti-malware Software:**
-Use reliable security software to detect and block malware threats.
5. **Be Precarious about Emails and Links**:
- Never click on suspicious links or download attachments received from unknown sources.
6. **Use a VPN**:
- A VPN encrypts your internet connection, thus making it difficult for hackers to access your transmitted data.
7. **Lock Wi-Fi Networks:
-Use strong Wi-Fi and disable the broadcasting of the network name (SSID), when possible.
8. **Self-Education and Education of Others**:
- Spend some time learning about recent threats and best practices.
9. **Perform Regular Backups**:
- On a regular basis, back up important data in secure storage to prevent data loss because of ransomware or other kinds of attack.
10. **Don't Share Too Much Personal Information Online :
Be very particular about what you post on social media and other online platforms.
On the whole, awareness of how a hacker works, coupled with proactive device securing, will hold vulnerability to cyber attacks at the least.
