Getting a bunch of spammy calls and texts? I’ve got a trick to put that to rest, in one minute.
Free check to see if your router has been hacked by criminals
© Christian Bridgwater | Dreamstime
The internet is a crazy place. Not only do marketers and advertisers follow your every move, but there are also hackers and scammers lurking in the dark corners, ready to pounce on your personal information.
At least marketers and advertisers want to make money off of you. The hackers and scammers we’re talking about want to flat-out steal your money by hijacking your personal information.
And as much as we don’t want to admit it, these hackers are more intelligent than the average criminal. They use clever tactics to trick you into clicking links with the potential to crash your system, spread malware and even steal your personal information. Tap or click for eight of the biggest scams you need to watch out for.
And keep reading to find out why a VPN is your best bet when it comes to keeping what you do online private.
What the heck is DNS Hijacking?
One of these tricks is known as “DNS hijacking.” Sound complicated? Yes, it’s a little bit tricky. Let me explain.
A DNS, or domain name system, is often called the phone book for the internet. It translates names of websites, like Google.com, to an IP address, like 74.125.239.2. The communication between the two is critical to direct web traffic correctly.
These clever hackers insert rogue DNS servers, so your traffic is directed to unsafe servers instead of the secure servers your internet service provider gives you. This means cybercriminals can redirect you to fake versions of websites you’re attempting to visit.
For example, if your router’s DNS settings have been hijacked, each time you visit your bank’s website, you’ll be redirected to a phishing website instead.
Criminals can also use DNS hijacking to modify ads you see while browsing. Instead of the regular ads you should be getting, they’re replaced with inappropriate or malicious ones. This opens you up to a whole world where all your personal information is vulnerable, and so is your system.
How to check your router for hackers and criminals
This helpful tool will help keep your internet connection safe from outside dangers. All you have to do is head to the home page. Your details then automatically load.
The secret phone ID giving away your personal details
How are advertisers and marketers tracking you? Here’s an inside look, in one minute.