Are hackers now hacking your brain with AI? The most dangerous technique by which common people are getting trapped:

News India Live, Digital Desk: Cyber ​​Security Tips : The world of cyber crime is constantly changing. Just as our technology is getting smarter, hackers and online fraudsters are also getting smarter. Nowadays, it is not just about fake calls or misspelled emails, hackers are using new technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), to trap us emotionally.

If you want to keep yourself, your bank account and your personal data safe, then it is important to know what techniques these cyber criminals are using. We tell you what are the biggest tricks they do and how to protect yourself from them.

Most cyber attacks don’t just rely on technical hacking, they take advantage of your humanity—that’s what Social Engineering They say. However, some powerful technologies work behind it.

1. Social Engineering: Using Your Emotions

The most favorite tool of hackers is not any software, but your carelessness, greed and fear.

• Method: In this, hackers first collect your online profile or information about you. They then contact you by posing as a bank official, IT helpdesk employee, or some government agency. They emotionally pressure you to take some urgent action, provide OTP, or click on a link.
• Advanced Threat: Now they can even copy the voice or video of your boss or a relative using AI deepfake technology, making you easily trust them.

2. Advanced Phishing and Spamming

The old ‘won the lottery’ emails have changed.

• new avatar: Now these fraudsters use the exact logo and language of your company, bank or platform like Netflix. Phishing is no longer limited to e-mails. Now Smishing (fraud through SMS) and Vishing (fraud through voice call or WhatsApp call) are more popular.
• Benefit: Their goal is only one thing: to get you to click on a malicious link to infect your device with a virus or to give them your login credentials (password/username).

3. Malware, Ransomware and Trojan Horse (Malware, Ransomware)

This is a purely technical attack, in which hackers jam your system.

• Ransomware: This is a kind of malware that enters your system and encrypts (locks) all your files. Then in return for opening it, hackers ask for a ransom of lakhs from you. Nowadays, the threat to small businesses and individuals is also increasing.
• Spyware and Keyloggers: These are secret software that sit in your computer and silently send all your passwords and everything you type on the keyboard to the hacker.

4. Zero-Day Vulnerability

This is the most dangerous and advanced level of hacking.

• What is this? ‘Zero-day’ means that there is a flaw in the software (like Windows, iOS, or any browser) that even the company making the software has not discovered till date. Hackers take advantage of this before the company releases any security patch. This is very serious because there is no patch available for protection.

How to protect yourself from these threats?

It is wise to always use technology with suspicion, because fraudsters never come forward in a straightforward manner.

1. Always follow a three-step formula: Stop, Think, Verify

Do not immediately trust any unexpected email, message, or call.

• Ask questions: If the bank has sent a message, do not click on that link immediately. Check whether there is really such a requirement by calling the official number of the bank yourself or visiting the official website.
• Easy question: Does the message show haste? Is the reward tempting? Does the sender’s address look strange?

2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

This is the strongest lock of your online security. MFA means adding another layer of security (like OTP or fingerprint) in addition to the password. Wherever possible, set up MFA on your bank accounts, social media, and email.

3. Keep your software and apps up-to-date

Why do companies send security patches (security updates)? So that they can fix those ‘zero-day’ vulnerabilities and flaws that hackers are taking advantage of. Always keep your phone and laptop’s operating system, browser and all apps updated.

4. Avoid unknown links and downloads

Not everything that is ‘free’ on the Internet is often free. Never download software or files from unknown websites or attachments.

The key to protecting against cyber attacks is to remain vigilant and constantly updated. Because whenever you install a new safety lock, hackers start creating a new key.