How to spot a scam email and what you must NOT share online: Ex-cyber criminal reveals how to avoid con artists on the Internet

An ex-hacker who started his illegitimate online career at the age of 18 has revealed what you should pay close attention to in your inbox.

The former cybercriminal turned cybersecurity professional who goes by the alias “404” shared his top tips for spotting those pesky scam emails and why you shouldn’t share them too much online.

404, who spent eight years as an illegitimate online user, publicly disclosed phishing emails were the most common tool used to deceive vulnerable users who “may be more susceptible to scams.”

He said: “Tactics such as phishing, sending fake emails or creating replica websites were used to trick individuals into disclosing personal or financial information.

“People can avoid them by being skeptical of unsolicited communications and verifying the authenticity of the sender.”

But what’s the best way to spot a misleading email? Lucky for us, the ex-hacker revealed everything.

His best tip was to carefully examine the email address and make sure it comes from a verified sender or organization.

Watch for spelling and grammar errors in the email address.

The now five-year cybersecurity expert suggested paying attention to the content of the message itself, including threatening language, generic greetings, and spelling or grammar errors.

They also advised internet users not to click on links from unauthenticated senders.

404 said, “Hover over links without clicking to see where they lead.”

If you want to avoid falling victim to scammers online, the ex-hacker urged online users not to overshare.

They stated: ‘Most people are woefully unaware of how visible they are online.

“They often don’t realize how much personal information is accessible to those who know where to look.”

404 revealed that opening up isn’t always the best route, especially on social media platforms.

The ex-cyber criminal warned individuals to keep their full addresses, bank details, NI numbers, family details and other highly sensitive information offline.

They also encouraged those visiting the world wide web to use strong passwords, two-factor authentication and secure trusted devices to avoid falling prey to lawless online scammers.

Antivirus software such as McAfee, Norton, and Bitdefender are “generally effective,” according to 404, but “regular updates and proper configuration are critical.”

Unfortunately, phishing emails and oversharing aren’t the only online dangers.

While ransomware, phishing emails and identity theft are all commonplace on the tech giant that is the internet, as technology advances online scammers are getting smarter too.

404 stated, “Social engineering and deepfake scams are on the rise. Stay informed and verify information through trusted sources.”

The career of the former hacker, who goes by the usual “not found error code,” came to an abrupt halt as a “combination of guilt and fear” about the damage they were actively causing began to take hold.

The former hacker who once made $500,000 in a single year has admitted guilt for their crimes and continues to “haunt” them. File photo: Hooded hacker breaks into data servers

The ex-cyber criminal who once made $500,000 in a single year revealed that his biggest crime was infiltrating the systems of a major financial institution.

The fallout from this unlawful act caused a large number of people to lose their life savings, to the point where the damage was felt in small businesses and communities.

404 said, “Hacking personal accounts and causing financial problems for ordinary people is something that still haunts me.

Now a five-year-old cybersecurity professional, 404, warned of the path of lawless internet activity. Encouraging those with the skills to pursue a ‘fulfilling and legal career’ in cybersecurity.

They commented, “I would strongly encourage people to pursue cybersecurity. Making that change gave my life purpose and allowed me to use my skills for good.