EXCLUSIVE: I used to be a cyber criminal making $500,000 a year: Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from hackers online
An ex-cyber criminal who made half a million dollars in one year from his exploits has brought up how to avoid being hacked.
The former hacker, who carries the ‘not found’ error code ‘404’, became embroiled in the world of online crime at the age of 18.
They told MailOnline: ‘I was always fascinated by computers and technology.
“I studied computer science at university, which further fueled my curiosity and led me down the dark path.”
The maximum they made in a year was $500,000, but when they asked what the money was spent on, they said, “It was spent on living expenses and technology investments. That’s all I wanna say’
They explained that they chose the alias 404 because it symbolized their desire to remain ‘unseen’.
With help of Geonodes cyber team, MailOnline was able to ask the cybercriminal turned cybersecurity expert about the best ways to protect yourself online.
The eight-year ex-cyber criminal revealed that the most common scam people are fooled into is phishing emails. File image: A hooded hacker at his computer
The former hacker who once made $500,000 in a single year urged people to “be mindful” of what they share online. File photo: Hooded hacker breaks into data servers
404 said their eight-year stint as lawless online users gave them “unique insights into cybercriminal mindsets.”
They added: ‘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 called on people to adjust their privacy settings and “be aware” of what they share online.
The ex-cyber-criminal said, “Social media platforms are common venues for a lot of sharing.”
“People share location, dates of birth, family information and more.”
They strongly advised the public not to share “NI numbers, bank details, full address and other highly sensitive personal information.”
The ex-hacker who decided to go down the path of cybersecurity five years ago also revealed who online criminals most often target.
“It varies, but often those who are less familiar with technology, such as older adults, are more vulnerable.”
They also revealed that phishing emails were the most common scams used to trick online users.
They shared, “Phishing emails are the most common. People can avoid them by being skeptical of unsolicited communications and verifying the authenticity of the sender.
404 revealed that those unfamiliar with technology are often targeted by online criminals, with older adults potentially being referred to as “more vulnerable.” File image: Unrecognizable hacker behind the computer
The ex-cybercriminal also warned users to be wary of phishing emails, identity theft, and ransomware. File Image: High angle view of individual hackers from multiple computers
They said the main signs of the popular scam were misspelled words, poor grammar, generic greetings instead of personalized greetings, and urgent or threatening language.
404 shared that verifying the sender’s email address is crucial in detecting the email scam.
They recommended checking that the email is from a legitimate organization, keeping a close eye out for any spelling errors in the email handle itself, and making sure the messages are in line with previous legitimate communications.
But phishing emails aren’t the only common crime online. The ex-hacker also urged people to be wary of ransomware and identity theft.
To prevent hacking, the now cybersecurity expert said: ‘I recommend using strong and unique passwords and being careful with the information shared online.
Also keep your software up to date, such as your operating system, antivirus, browsers and other critical software.
“Also, turn on your two-factor authentication and avoid suspicious links and downloads.”
404 also revealed that software such as Bitdefender, McAfee, and Norton are “generally effective” at keeping your device secure, but that “regular updates and proper configuration are critical.”
But what if it’s too late and your account has already been hacked? Don’t panic just yet, as all may not be lost just yet.
You may be able to recover hacked accounts with prompt action, but that is platform and situation dependent, according to 404.
They stated that people should do the following: “Immediately change their password, enable additional security measures, and contact the platform’s support team.”
The former cybercriminal also gave us insight into why he decided to put an end to his shady exploits online.
“A combination of guilt, fear, and a growing understanding of the damage I was doing led me to quit.
“The crimes that hurt innocent individuals are the crimes that concern me the most. One in particular was a large-scale fraud that led many to financial ruin.
The crime involved infiltrating the systems of a major financial institution and manipulating accounts as part of a larger OCG.
“The guilt still haunts me”: 404 claimed he was involved in “flashing into the systems of a major financial intuition and manipulating accounts as part of a larger OCG.” They said the ripple effect of these crimes negatively affected communities. File Image: Hacker with mobile phone stealing data
The former hacker who once made $500,000 in a single year ended his criminal career as it began to seep into his daily life. He warned others, “It’s a path that leads to a life of fear and regret.” File Image: Handcuffs on a computer keyboard
“Many people lost their savings, and the ripple effect damaged small businesses and communities.
“The guilt of causing such widespread damage is something that still haunts me.
They reported that their guilty conscience regarding their unlawful online activities began to seep into their daily lives.
“Living a double life was stressful. I became more isolated and began to suffer from anxiety and depression’
They added: ‘My relationships with family and close friends suffered. They sensed something was wrong, but I could never tell them the truth.’
They also urged others against illegal activity online, stating, “The consequences, both legal and personal, are not worth it.
“It’s a path that leads to a life of fear and regret.”