A former cybercriminal who made $500,000 in misuse in a year has come forward and revealed how to evade the hack.
Exhibiting a “not found” error code “404”, a former hacker found himself entangled in the world of online crime at the young age of 18.
They told MailOnline: “I have always been fascinated by computers and technology.
“I studied computer science in college, which piqued my curiosity and led me down a darker road.”
When asked how they used the money, which was $500,000, the highest they earned in a year, they said, “I used it for living expenses and investing in technology.” That’s all I want to say
They elaborated that they chose the alias 404 because it symbolized their desire to remain “inconspicuous.”
with the help of Geonode’s The cyber team, MailOnline, was able to ask the cybercriminal turned cybersecurity expert how best to protect himself online.
A former cybercriminal of eight years reveals that the most common scam people get tricked into is phishing emails.File image: A hooded hacker standing in front of a computer
The former hacker, who once made $500,000 in a year, urged people to be “careful” about what they share online.File photo: Hooded hacker breaks into data server
404 says his eight years of activity as a lawless online user gave him “unique insight into how cybercriminals think.”
They added that “most people are appallingly unaware of how dangerous they are online.”
“People who know where to look are often unaware of how much personal information they have access to.”
404 urged people to adjust their privacy settings and be “careful” about what they share online.
“Social media platforms are common places for oversharing,” said a former cybercriminal.
“People share location, date of birth, family information, and more.”
They urged citizens not to share “NI numbers, bank details, full addresses and other highly sensitive personal information.”
The former hacker, who decided to pursue a career in cybersecurity five years ago, also revealed who online criminals most often target.
“Every situation is different, but in many cases people who are less tech-savvy, such as older people, can be more vulnerable.”
It also revealed that phishing emails are the most frequent scam to trick online users.
they said: “Phishing emails are the most common.” People can avoid unsolicited communications by being suspicious of them and verifying the authenticity of the sender.
404 found that people who are new to technology are often targeted by online criminals, noting that older people may be “more vulnerable.”File image: Unrecognizable hacker in front of a computer
The former cybercriminal also warned users to beware of phishing emails, identity theft and ransomware.File image: high angle view of an individual hacking multiple computers
They said the main signs of this popular scam were misspelled words, poor grammar, general rather than personal greetings, and urgent or threatening language.
404 shared the importance of verifying the sender’s email address to detect email fraud.
They should ensure that emails come from legitimate organizations, always look out for misspellings in the email handle itself, and verify that messages are consistent with previous legitimate communications. advised.
But phishing emails aren’t the only crime prevalent online, the former hacker warned people to beware of ransomware and identity theft as well.
To avoid hacking, the now-cybersecurity expert said, “We recommend using strong, unique passwords and being careful with information shared online.”
Also, keep your software up to date, including your operating system, antivirus software, browsers, and other essential software.
“Also, enable two-factor authentication to avoid suspicious links and downloads.”
404 also revealed that software from Bitdefender, McAfee, Norton, and others are “generally effective” at keeping devices secure, but that “regular updates and proper configuration are key.”
But what if it’s too late and your account has already been hacked? All is not lost, so don’t panic just yet.
According to 404, hacked accounts may be recovered with “immediate response,” but that will depend on the platform and circumstances.
They say people should “immediately change their passwords, enable additional security measures, and contact the platform’s support team.”
A former cybercriminal, he also shared with us why he decided to stop using darkness online.
“The combination of guilt, fear, and a greater understanding of the harm I was causing stopped me.
“The crimes that hurt innocent people haunt me the most.
“This crime involved breaking into the systems of a major financial institution and manipulating accounts as part of a larger OCG.
‘Guilt still haunts me’: 404 claimed he was involved in ‘breaking into the systems of major financial instincts and manipulating accounts as part of a larger OCG.’ They said the repercussions of this crime had a negative impact on the local community.File image: A hacker with a mobile phone/smartphone steals data
The former hacker, who once made $500,000 in a year, ended his criminal career as crime began to permeate his daily life. He warned others that “it is a path that leads to a life of fear and regret.”File image: Handcuffs on a computer keyboard
“Many people lost their savings and the ripple effect hurt small businesses and communities.
“The guilt of causing such widespread harm still haunts me.
They shared that guilt over illegal online activity is beginning to seep into their daily lives.
“The double life was stressful. I became more and more isolated and began to suffer from anxiety and depression.”
They added, “My relationship with family and close friends deteriorated. They felt something was wrong, but I couldn’t tell them the truth.”
They also called on others to speak out against illegal activity online, declaring that “the legal and personal consequences are not commensurate.”
“It’s a path that leads to a life of fear and regret.”