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Hacking is when a criminal gains unauthorised access to a computer system. This is usually over the internet. It could be a computer at a business, a bank, or your own personal device at home.
Once a hacker gains entry to a system they can do anything a real user can. They may steal sensitive information or install malicious software. They could even access online bank accounts.
You can check if your email address or password has been exposed online on the ‘Have I Been Pwned’ website.
Malware is short for malicious software. It refers to programs created to damage or gain unauthorised access to our devices. These programs can then disrupt normal operation or steal information.
Different types of malware include:
Malware can get into a computer or device via:
A DoS attack makes a website or other internet-based service unavailable. The attacker sends a huge number of requests to the site or service at once, causing it to crash. Attacks from more than one computer are 'distributed denial of service (DDoS)'.
Most victims of DoS attacks are high-profile organisations. This includes multinationals, government agencies, banks and other financial institutions.
DoS attacks in themselves do not cause damage. When the attack stops, things generally return to normal. Instead, they can cause loss of business or reputational damage.
If you are running a website or internet service, typical signs of a DoS attack are:
If you believe an active attack is occurring on your system or service, you should:
Visit the National Cyber Security Centre for detailed guidance on DoS.
If you are currently being subjected to a live and ongoing cyber-attack then please contact us on 101.
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime, the Action Fraud team can also provide the help, support and advice you need.
Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050).