Hackers! How easy is it to hack into someones computer?

Question

I read this thing in the news today about this guy who was a computer hacker and hacked into some US top secret stuff. This is slightly worrying as if a person can get at that type of stuff how easy is it for him to get my password to eBay and stuff. Our whole lives seem to be on the computer these days, how safe are we? I saw Die Hard 4 which was about this sort of stuff and they actually changed his bank balance too! (I just laughed at this and thought - it's just a movie). Can this type of thing happen? To all you clever computer nerds (joke) out there, please help!

Answer 1

How safe? Well, basically if you understand the mentality of animals to pack together even if they cannot defend simply because of the fact that the more of them are, the less chance that tell will be the ones to be eaten....... Or something like that.

The main reason of security is basically, millions of computers are online everyday, what makes you think you would be a target of these people when there are "bigger fish to fry" ?

Computer hacking is not a magical "wala" thing, it's similar to say, a scam artist, except those people are fooling computers, instead of people. That's the simplest way of putting it.

As for Die Hard 4.... Absolute....... Fabrication.... That's impossible. It's not like it's an Excel spreadsheet that can be easily changed..... Besides, if all you see on hackers in movies are nerds who stare at lots of text in a computer screen (understandable text mind you.) ... It would be boring as heck. :P

Lastly, when its the government, it doesn't mean it's secure, they're people after all, and not all people are computer savvy. And sometimes they also accidentally leave their own doors unlocked while leaving.... ;)

Answer 2

Honestly, with all the security measures these days. Computer usage is very safe. In fact Vista was built with security in mind.

If you have a firewall and router and av software, then, for the most part, you ARE safe. If you want to take it a step further encrypt your drive (use windows help on this with the key word encrypt). This way if a hacker does find their way into your computer they will only be getting junk. It would take a lifetime to figure out the encryption key, and by that time you'll be six feet under.

Yes, movies exploit the hackers a bit, look at the Matrix... But it's just entertainment. And the Government admits to having sub-standard security to their systems (go figure, the government messing something up. ever hear of that?).

Answer 3

Make sure you have an up-to-date anti-virus installed, and make sure you update it everyday.

Make sure you run Windows Update if your using Windows to make sure you have all the security patches for your computer.

Don't download anything dodgy, make sure you trust the website that your downloading the program from, once you download it make sure that you scan it with your anti-virus to make sure.

Most bank account stealing happens because some idiot downloads a dodgy program and then goes around entering his bank account details into anything that asks for it!

Basically have common sence and a good anti-virus program and it probably won't happen

Answer 4

It's easy to hack into someones computer but don't worry. As Long as you have a good Anti Virus, Anti Spyware and Firewall (I suggest Kaspersky) you should be fine. Most Hacker's are opportunist so if your system is hard to get into they will move onto there next target, unless they are specifically going after you they will just move onto the next victim. Most have bigger fish to fry then breaking into some random person's computer, most are a member of a group and they are busy doing something for the group.

www.kaspersky.co.uk

Answer 5

it seems to be easy enough my boyf works with computers and he says it wud be easy to get in to say just a normal comp ( he does this  for his work he works from a office and installs programmes and fixes computers that are miles away!!!!Intelligent i know!!!heheh)

but what makes me uneasy is that in the past 6 months iv received a letter from my bank and the blood doner company saying people have stolen my details through hacking theese are people u trust i mean its frighting!!

Answer 6

Sure why not. This kind of staff happening cross the globe everyday. Hacking is very easy. if you want i can teach you but I'll charge you $500 for Half hour. You'll learn some valuable staff and you can become rich too.

Answer 7

Um. Yeah. It is very easy to bypass security of most home networks connected via broadband. The fact that these connections are always on even if the computer isn't makes them more  vulnerable than a dial-up account. Firewalls, strong passwords and encryption makes it a little more difficult for the amateur hacker. However, there are video's daily on you-tube showing how to crack WEP and how to compromise a vulnerable system and all manner of things. Not to mention if you google  how to crack WEP or anything else you want to do you can find tools to do it. So basically without too much training anyone can hack. The experts, do the  coding themselves and they can basically get into anything given enough time . How long they stay depends on the security in place.

Answer 8

Gary McKinnon was a self-admitted 'computer nerd', not a professional hacker.

He downloaded a remote administration tool and then spent hours guessing the computers passwords.

As long as you have a decent firewall, some competent anti-virus software and don't use anything too obvious as your account passwords you should be safe.

Answer 9

It is Very easy to hack if you know what you are doing. you should always have an antivirus .There are some hackers like trijanhorse the thrid to hack me but my security stopped them. Most hackers are punks trying to be cool