6 ways to stop digital stalkers from harassing you
The more time you spend online, your risk of online harassment grows. Being proactive can stop digital stalkers before they track your every move, change your passwords and shatter your sense of security. I’ve heard from people who have been fending off hackers for years — and they describe scary situations.
Last May, Rhonda from Boston, Massachusetts, said a hacker had been tormenting her for seven years. They disabled her home security system, broke into her car and changed her passwords. Jill from Phoenix, Arizona, recently said she’s been dealing with similar invasive issues for two years.
If you’ve ever struggled with persistent digital tormentors, follow this checklist.
Always keep an eye out for cybersecurity threats
Finding red flags ahead of time thwarts hackers who want to invade your privacy. Is your smartphone or computer suddenly hot or slow? Is the battery draining faster than usual? If so, you may have malware on your device.
Check your apps to see if there are any programs you didn’t download. Delete them immediately and install antivirus on your devices.
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You should be especially wary if you have a smart home. Here’s why:
- It’s disturbingly easy for hackers to break into your smart home security cameras and spy on you.
- Cybercriminals can access free tools like Shodan, which lets anyone watch footage from unsecured devices.
- Want to stop creeps from spying on you? Ditch your security system’s default password. Pick a strong, original and hard-to-crack password.
- Also, look for these five signs to tell if your security camera was hacked.
Sadly, you can take precautions and still be hacked. Security breaches are an everyday occurrence in today’s digitized world. Here’s what to do when a hacker invades your digital life.
Use these tricks to stop digital stalkers
Don’t let hackers torment you. At the first sign of trouble, take these steps:
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