Research by NordVPN: Growing Number of Hackers Attempt Breaking Into Facebook Accounts
Sep 10, 2020
LONDON - September 10, 2020 - (Newswire.com)
The lockdown inspired people to try new hobbies — TikTok was oozing with dog training, cinnamon rolls, and dance challenges in spring. But some internet users opted for more peculiar hobbies.
Google searches related to the keyword “how to hack” went up in April 2020. So experts from NordVPN looked into what exactly people were trying to hack.
Researchers analyzed monthly search terms and found an average of 171,490 worldwide Google searches on how to hack something. 46% of these involved hacking somebody’s Facebook account.
“There is more to that: Facebook is the most popular social login to access third-party sites. That’s why, according to the Dark Web Price Index, Facebook accounts sell for $75. Once obtained by a cybercriminal, Facebook accounts can open the gates to Instagram, online stores that hold credit card data, and more,” says Daniel Markuson, digital privacy expert at NordVPN.
The top three countries where people are the most interested in breaking into somebody else’s Facebook account are India 26%, the Philippines (19%), and the United States (13%).
What else do people want to break into?
When analyzing the volumes of “hack”-related keywords, NordVPN’s researchers found that Wi-Fi comes second on the most desired list. Wi-Fi has always been a target, but the interest increased once people got locked down and had to work or study from their home.
The top three countries where people are looking to take advantage of their neighbour's network include India (23%), Indonesia (13%), and the United States (8%).
The rest of the wanna-hack top-five list includes Gmail (10%), email (2%), and Google account (1%).
How to protect your data
“People may think they are of no interest to hackers, but they are — and the research proves it. Your neighbour may be a hacker trying to break into your Wi-Fi. Your ex-partner may try to get control over your social media accounts. And, of course, a random hacker will grab any chance to sell your account on the dark web,” says Daniel Markuson.
Hackers are good at finding their ways, whether they search for tips on Google or on the dark web. But you can make it harder for them by following simple steps:
- Use unique passwords for different accounts. Once hacked, your credentials can be checked against other services, such as email or online banking. To help you navigate through the sea of passwords, use a password manager like NordPass.
- Use two-factor authentication. Just entering a password won’t be enough — hackers would also have to get access to your phone or email.
- Encrypt all your files with an advanced encryption tool like NordLocker.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi. If you have to use a network you can’t fully trust, use a VPN like NordVPN. A VPN encrypts all communications passing between your device and the internet.
Press Release Service by Newswire.com
Original Source: Research by NordVPN: Growing Number of Hackers Attempt Breaking Into Facebook Accounts
More News
This Gen Z designer nearly left the industry. Now, he is redefining luxury fashion
“I’m not a fashion person,” says Kenneth Chow, founder of independent fashion label Chow Chow. During our interview, he wears a simple striped shirt and answers without pretension. “I barely buy new clothes,” he says, laughing. Despite his simple approach to fashion, Chow’s business focuses on refined craftsmanship, intricate designs and handcrafted luxury. His designs, embellished with crystals and pearls hand-stitched on dark-coloured silks, play with perceptions of geometry and linear...
Touring Tuscany for Piero della Francesca’s Most Resplendent Artworks
A writer’s road trip in search of the early Renaissance master’s most resplendent works takes her to towns beyond Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.
Glastonbury Isn't The Only Festival On The 2027 Calendar, And These 5 European Events Prove It
Fear not, your summer plans will be saved... View Entire Post ›
The plague isn’t history. Where it still exists, how it spreads and a cure
To most, the plague is an ancient nightmare, a scourge that wiped out tens of millions in medieval Europe and killed more than 20,000 people in colonial Hong Kong between 1894 and 1929. A recent death at a plague research facility in Siberia is a stark reminder that the bacterium that causes it, Yersinia pestis, was never eradicated. While modern medicine has transformed the former “Black Death” into an easily treatable bacterial infection, the disease continues to circulate quietly across the...
Conor Kennedy and Giulia Be Married in Rio
The couple’s three-day wedding celebration in Rio de Janeiro brought together two families with political ties as rising tensions surround Brazil’s presidential election.
Meet Thomas Eisenhood, Jessica Simpson’s rumoured new boyfriend
Jessica Simpson seems to be cosying up to her rumoured new beau. On October 5, TMZ reported that the 46-year-old singer and actress was spotted enjoying a Sunday morning walk at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park with 33-year-old musician Thomas Eisenhood, whom she was first linked to in April. According to TMZ, the pair had been dating for roughly three months when the outlet broke the news in April. A source confirmed the relationship to People, adding, “[Simpson is] happy. She’s in a great...
Travel leaders gather in Jamaica for World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2026
Jamaica is preparing to welcome travel and tourism leaders from across the region for the World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony 2026. The ceremony is taking place at Princess Grand Jamaica on 11 October 2026, forming the flagship evening of World Travel Week Jamaica.
Just 37 Travel Products For Anyone Who Wants To Be Over-Prepared In The Best Way
Prepare to be the MVP of your travel buddy group. View Entire Post ›
Why freaky shoes from Saint Laurent, Chanel and Dior are trending
There is something quite deliciously subversive about a freaky shoe. Feet of course already hold a hint of perversion – some people are really into them, while others find them repellent. But shod those feet in a shoe that people can find both compelling and strange? Well actually, that’s fashion catnip. Visceral proof can be found in those who have made the freaky shoe their signature, such as the aristocratic, enigmatic and entirely iconic Daphne Guinness, who always wears a pair of...
9 Injured After J.F.K.-Bound Flight Hits Severe Turbulence
Avianca Flight 42 was en route to New York from Medellín, Colombia, when it “encountered unexpected turbulence” and was diverted to Miami.
What Travelers Need to Know as Isaias Pushes Inland
The storm, which closed airports and canceled trains along the Gulf, could affect major hubs like Atlanta and Charlotte.
Hilton’s Tempo Will Make its European Debut in Munich, With a Rooftop Bar and Arena Next Door
Hilton’s first Tempo lifestyle hotel in European oil will open in Munich, coinciding with the new Arena event zone planned near the airport. The post Hilton’s Tempo Will Make its European Debut in Munich, With a Rooftop Bar and Arena Next Door appeared first on Business Traveller.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.