Security guides like Eric Cole's Hackers Beware emphasize that hackers often bypass technical firewalls by targeting people instead. They rely on:
Cybersecurity 101: Why Hackers Want Your Data & What Happens to It What Hackers Want
Hackers aren't just looking for credit card numbers anymore. They want —names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers—which can be used for long-term identity theft. More importantly, they want legitimate user credentials . Once they have your login, they can "escalate privileges," moving silently through your personal or work networks without raising alarms. 2. The Primary Motive: Financial Gain Security guides like Eric Cole's Hackers Beware emphasize
Using your computer's processing power to launch larger attacks elsewhere. 3. The Methodology: Exploiting the "Human Element" they can "escalate privileges