How Hackers Exploit Your Personal Data

How Hackers Exploit Your Personal Data

Singapore's reputation as a tech hub makes its citizens prime targets for hackers. What is particularly alarming is the broad spectrum of victims — from tech-savvy teenagers to working professionals and retirees. Each age group faces unique vulnerabilities, yet shares common risks in our interconnected digital landscape. Personal data has become more valuable than ever, and hackers are relentless in finding ways to exploit it, with phishing scams and malware attacks being the most common culprits. As hackers continuously evolve their tactics to exploit vulnerabilities across all age groups, it is essential for everyone to understand the risks and adopt proactive security measures. In their Singapore Cyber Landscape (SCL) 2023 publication released on 30 July 2024, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) observed, “Despite the drop in local reported cases, phishing attacks continue to be a major threat to organisations and individuals, especially as threat actors improve on the sophistication of their cyber-attacks.” (Source: CSA).

This guide dives into the tactics hackers use, how hackers exploit personal data, the potential impact on all age groups, from tech-savvy millennials to cautious seniors, and actionable strategies to stay safe. By raising awareness and promoting proactive measures, we can collectively foster a safer digital environment for everyone in Singapore to navigate the digital world safely.

Cyber Threats Affect All Age Groups

Hackers do not discriminate — they adapt their scams to exploit different age and ethnic groups:

  • Children and Teens: Often targeted through gaming platforms, social media, and online contests, where they might unknowingly share personal information or download malware.
  • Students and Young Adults: Commonly fall victim to education-related scams, phishing, and job scams, social media account takeovers, gaming platform exploitation, dating app scams, and fraudulent e-commerce sites due to their high digital activity and frequent online transactions.
  • Middle-aged Adults: Targeted through investment fraud, impersonation fraud, and fake business opportunities, professional network infiltration, remote work security breaches, and digital payment scams as they often manage significant financial resources.
  • Seniors: Vulnerable to family emergency scams, such as kidnap scam, technical support scams, impersonation calls, CPF-related schemes, and fraudulent medical or financial schemes due to their limited familiarity with digital threats.

How Hackers Target Everyone

Hackers use a variety of tactics to compromise personal information. Understanding these methods is the first step toward protection:

  1. Phishing and Smishing (SMS Phishing)
  • Smishing combines SMS and phishing, where attackers send text messages that trick recipients into revealing personal information or downloading malware.
  • Phising emails are deceptive emails or text messages that mimic trusted institutions like banks, government agencies, or e-commerce platforms to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information. 
  1. Social Media Exploits
  • Oversharing on social media provides hackers with clues to security questions, passwords, or personal habits, such as posting your pet’s name, a common password, or details about your birthday.
  1. Malware and Ransomware
  • Malicious software that infects devices, stealing data or locking files via suspicious links, fake apps, or downloads, allowing hackers to steal data or take control of devices until a ransom is paid. These affect anyone who uses the internet, from students downloading apps to professionals working remotely.
  1. Social Engineering
  • Psychological manipulation convincing victims to reveal sensitive information. 
    • For example, in an impersonation scam, a caller impersonating a tech support agent, claiming your computer has a virus, affecting its security and asking for remote access to rectify the issue or 
    • a senior citizen might receive a call from someone impersonating their bank, asking them to verify their NRIC and account number.
  1. SIM Swapping
  • Hackers gain control of a victim's phone number by deceiving mobile carriers, enabling them to bypass two-factor authentication (2FA). This can affect anyone who relies on his or her phone for online banking or accessing sensitive information. 

What You Can Do About It

Universal Tips for Staying Secure

  • Educate Yourself and Loved Ones: Stay informed about the latest scams and hacking techniques through resources like Scam.SG, and share knowledge with family members.
  • Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making financial transactions over unsecured networks.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) orMulti-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security for email, social media, and banking accounts to your accounts, making it harder for hackers to gain access.
  • Strong Password Hygiene: Use unique and complex passwords for each account, and regularly updating passwords. Do not use common passwords like “123456” or “password.” Consider using a password manager for convenience and security.
  • Be Wary of Unsolicited Communications: Be cautious of emails, calls, and messages that seem urgent, offer unexpected rewards, or request sensitive information.
  • Think Before You Click: Avoid clicking on unsolicited links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
  • Verify Before Acting: Always double-check requests with the supposed source — call back using official numbers.
  • Secure Browsing Habits: Avoid suspicious websites, be cautious of public Wi-Fi, and use a VPN for added security.
  • Safeguard Personal Information: Never share sensitive details like NRIC, bank details, or passwords with anyone you do not know or trust.
  • Secure Your Social Media Accounts: Limit the information you share publicly and adjust privacy settings to restrict access.
  • Keep Devices and Software Updated: Back-up important data after regular updates, and scans of operating systems, applications, browsers, and antivirus software to address security vulnerabilities.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

Building Your Digital Fortress: Strategies for All Ages

Here are some suggestions on how every age group can stay safe online.

For Children and Teens:

  • Educate them about the risks of sharing personal information online.
  • Monitor gaming and social media activity, and encourage the use of privacy settings.

For Young Adults:

  • Protect academic credentials
  • Use secure gaming platforms
  • Be cautious with unsolicited emails, job offers, and online deals.
  • Secure social media accounts by using unique, strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts. 
  • Adjust privacy settings on social media accounts and be cautious about friend requests from unknown individuals.

For Middle-aged Adults:

  • Verify investment opportunities and avoid transferring money based on unsolicited calls or messages.
  • Regularly monitor financial accounts for unauthorized activity.

For Seniors:

  • Use official banking channels
  • Seek help when unsure by consulting trusted family members or friends for guidance on suspicious communications.
  • Learn basic digital safety by attending workshops or online classes tailored for seniors to improve digital literacy.
  • Be sceptical of unsolicited tech support calls or requests for personal information.
  • Install antivirus software and update devices with the latest security patches.

Remember these universal principles:

  1. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
  2. Never share OTP codes with anyone
  3. Verify before taking action
  4. When in doubt, consult trusted sources

Recovering from a Hack: Taking Back Control

If you suspect a data breach or identity theft:

  • Report the Incident: Notify your bank, credit card companies, and the Singapore Police Force's Anti-Scam Centre. You can lodge a police report online at SPF e-Services or visit the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre, or contact: 
    • Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688
    • ScamShield, developed by the National Crime Prevention Council, to check scams, block scam messages and for reporting fraud
    • Scam.SG: which provides guidance on reporting processes.
  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately change passwords for all potentially compromised accounts.
  • Document suspicious activities: Collating evidence of the scam is critical, for police reports and potential investigations to support your case. Gather and keep records of all communications related to the scam, saving URLs linked to the scam and capturing screenshots of relevant interactions, including:
    • WhatsApp messages
    • Emails
    • Social media interactions
    • Transaction receipts
    • Phone numbers used
  • Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check bank statements and credit reports for suspicious activity.
  • Seek Identity Recovery Services: Utilize resources available through Scam.SG for guidance and credit bureaus to recover stolen identities.

Spotlight on Scam.SG

Scam.SG serves as a trusted ally in combating scams and protecting personal data, offering educational materials and reporting tools, empowering everyone in Singapore to stay vigilant. Our TrustScore helps users evaluate the credibility of websites and online platforms. For better coverage, use it alongside other safety measures.

Conclusion

Hacking is a growing concern in Singapore, affecting individuals of all ages. Digital security is not just about technology — it's about building a culture of awareness and resilience. With awareness and vigilance, everyone can take steps to protect their personal information. Whether you are a tech-savvy youth/young adult/adult, a busy parent, or a senior exploring the digital world, your digital security matters. Stay informed, stay alert, and help make Singapore's digital space safer for everyone.

Stay one-step ahead of hackers — visit Scam.SG today and equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to protect your digital world.