How difficult or easy is it to become hacked online today?

It depends on your web hygiene, OS, plugins, browser etc. It’s harder than you think but easy enough. If you are behind a well configured router it’s not easy but if you open the door by downloading a bunch of stuff, have insecure plugins or software installed then it’s easy. Treat free software like a public bathroom. Don’t download unless you know it’s clean. Treat passwords like contraceptives.

The most important thing is make your email secure. If someone has your email account, they can go to many other sites and click on “I forgot my password” and get an email allowing them to reset the password.

The most imporant step is to turn on two-factor authentication where possible. With that I could type my email address and password here on Fluther and nobody would be able log into it.

When you or anyone else tries to log into the account from a strange computer/phone (one factor), a second check is made – a texted code, or a phone call, a code you saved before (the second factor).

It sounds complicated but it’s not. Once you authenticate a device you don’t have to take the extra step again.

PC Magazine – Two-Factor Authentication: Who Has It and How to Set It Up

All you need to do is install Windows 10. Or get a Chromebook – all your info is stored on Google computers. Or get a smart phone. Or buy a new car, which records your movements.

For being hacked by non-corporate or non-government people, there are many vectors people can use, and the main question is does anyone who knows enough about them and you actually want to spend the time and energy to hack you or not in a way that you’re vulnerable, which thankfully is almost always no… unless/until you take actions that expose you to threats for anyone, such as opening attachments sent to you in email by mailicious spammers, or going to web sites with hacks that use your browser’s abilities, plugins, or bugs and/or fool you into approving things that do things you don’t realize.

@Call_Me_Jay

What if you ever lose your phone? Or if someone gets a hold of your phone?

@FlutherBug If you turn on encryption on the phone, nobody will get past the initial password. They will just see the lock screen.

On my lock screen I have my email address and alternate phone so people can return it to me.

I’ve returned several iPhones I found on the street, by looking for Home in the contacts or calling someone recent in call history. But that wouldn’t work on an encrypted phone, you can’t make a call.

Well, if you want to be hacked, that’s pretty easy ;-)

@Vincentt What? Why would I want to be hacked? Not sure why you put the flirty winky face either, it’s kind of creepy

;-)

It was a joke, but apparently a bad one :P You asked how easy it is to get hacked, which kind-of can imply that you are looking to get hacked if it’s not too difficult.

I usually use the weird-tongue-out smiley to indicate I’m making a joke*, not sure why I used the creepy one here…

* Because I’m apparently aware they need that.

@Vincentt Ha! Totally understandable! No I don’t want to get hacked! It’s because one of my friends did! So I was wondering how easy it is for random people to do it ?? Because I wouldn’t want to get hacked either! That’s why I asked that. Hopefully making the passwords super strong and doing the 2 step verification helps…

This is my favorite smiley face :P

heheh

@Call_Me_Jay Thanks for the advice, I’m gonna do all those things! I have an iPhone as well and never even thought to have my information on the front….. So thanks….

The hackers are very active on Facebook. They are less active on some less known websites.