Cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm for Britons, highlighting ‘spooky’ warning signs that could indicate you’re in the crosshairs of a cyber attack. It comes after a significant increase in cyber attacks in recent years, a trend that experts predict will only increase.
Just this week, tech giant Microsoft attributed its latest outage, which lasted nearly 10 hours, to a cyberattack. The outage affected Microsoft’s email service, Outlook, and the widely played video game Minecraft.
The King’s Speech recently unveiled Labour’s new plans to roll out a Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill. The government claims the bill is designed to strengthen the UK’s defences and protect digital services.
Luke Stevenson, a Cyber Security Specialist at IT and cybersecurity service provider Redcentric, warns that such malicious attacks don’t just impact businesses – they inevitably affect consumers too. He shed light on the reason why we are seeing an increase in cyberattacks, saying: “As a society, we are becoming increasingly digital.
“Many of us work from home with remote digital infrastructure and live much of our social lives in the virtual realm. Most of our transactions are now digital and criminals have adapted their tactics accordingly; they are hunting for our credentials.
“One of the most obvious signs that your data has been compromised is unauthorized transactions on your bank account. If you notice a suspicious transaction, you should take immediate action and inform your bank.”
Below, Luke shares some of the most unusual signs – and one particularly scary sign – that could indicate your data may have been compromised.
1. Noticing strange activity on your laptop
The expert explains: “In some cases, hackers can control your laptop remotely. In that case, you might see random mouse movements on your screen while you are working or words appear when you are not typing. In extreme cases, hackers can gain access to your camera and control it remotely. For example, you might notice that the light on your webcam is on even though you are not on a video call.”
“If you see something unusual while you’re online, or something in general doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t and you should investigate it.”
2. Finding unusual apps on your phone
Be wary of any unusual or suspicious-looking apps that appear on your phone, as hackers can install malicious apps in the hopes that they will go unnoticed. It’s easy to go unnoticed by this type of activity, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t keep their apps updated and organized.
Luke adds: “If you see apps still opening even though you’ve closed them, it might be worth checking into.”
3. Family and friends report strange messages from you
Luke warns that hackers can manipulate the sender ID of a text message, making it appear as if it was sent from a different phone. This method is often used to send phishing messages to unsuspecting individuals, usually asking for money or containing malicious links or downloadable files.
He advised: “If your friends or family members are posting on social media that are inappropriate, you should report it and as a precaution, change your login details immediately.”
4. An increased number of reported failed login attempts
If you have recently noticed an increase in failed login attempts on your email or social media activity or security page, this could be an indication that hackers are trying to gain access to your account. Also be aware of a sudden increase in irrelevant advertising spam messages or emails.
5. Redirected Internet searches
Often referred to as a ‘browser hijacker’, this type of malware fraudulently redirects users to websites they did not intend to visit. “These websites are often malicious and contain suspicious links, downloads or pop-ups that aim to steal personal data,” warns Luke.
6. Never reuse passwords for multiple accounts
Reusing passwords across multiple accounts poses a significant security risk, Luke says. This also applies to passwords that are largely similar, such as passwords with a number or symbol at the end.
Many people choose memorable patterns when setting up passwords, as this makes it easier to create and remember different variations for each site. However, this can backfire if scammers manage to crack the pattern of one or more compromised passwords.
The expert advised: “The NCSC offers useful advice on how to secure your personal accounts and take a more robust approach to managing passwords. Also consider using multi-factor methods to verify access to your account, don’t just rely on passwords for regular access.”
7. Regularly check if your accounts have been hacked
“Stay vigilant and be aware of any data breaches that may have affected your accounts,” Luke warns. “This will signal that you should change your password, and also flag any other information that could be easily accessible to attackers, such as addresses and credit card details.”
Have I been hacked? is a valuable free tool that allows you to check for data breaches related to your email address.
8. Use a password manager to create complex passwords
A recent survey by Redcentric found that 77% of UK residents don’t use a password manager, with 23% storing their passwords in their browser. Luke emphasises the critical importance of storing all passwords securely, whether this is via a secure password manager or a document secured with two-factor authentication.”
“If you store your passwords in an insecure place where you don’t need a password, they can be stolen very easily,” he warned.
9. Be careful about sharing financial information on social media
Luke said: “You should never give out financial information on social media because you don’t know who might see it. For example, posting on LinkedIn about how much budget you have at work attracts cybercriminals.
“In your personal life, avoid sharing information that could reveal your income or financial situation. For example, share updates on expensive new purchases such as cars, a new home, or jewelry. If you really need to share this type of information, make sure your social profiles are private and consider sharing it only with close friends and family members you trust.”