8 Sneaky Ways Hackers Steal Your Security Question Answers
2 min read
Summary
More and more people are falling victim to hackers due to data breaches through security questions that are meant to protect their personal data.
Quite often, security questions are used as a back up plan to retrieve passwords, but these too can be hacked easily.
Here are 10 ways hackers can uncover your security answers to protect your personal data:
Social media snooping:Basic information like your favourite movie, pet’s name, birth date or anniversary can be easily obtained by simply scouring your social media profiles.
Fake fun quizzes: Security questions often require personal details, so when you enter these into seemingly fun quizzes you are actually handing over valuable information.
Public records: Marriage certificates, property records and voter registrations amongst other public records can easily be accessed and provide the answers to many security questions.
Old forum posts: Even old posts that you may have made on forums may provide information that you have shared, such as your maiden name, hometown, pet’s name etc.
Leaked data from other sites: Often data from large sites that have been hacked will provide the answers to your security questions, so the hacker is then able to access other accounts through the security question.
