Hackers Don’t Start With Hacking — They Start With YOU

Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, but most attacks don’t begin with sophisticated malware or zero-day exploits. The reality is, hackers often start with information you make publicly available.

This might sound simple — almost too simple — but it’s true. Your personal information is often the first target. Protecting it takes only a few minutes if you know what to check.

Why Hackers Target Public Information First

Before a hacker launches a full attack, they perform reconnaissance. This phase involves gathering any publicly available data that can make their job easier. Common targets include:

• Email addresses: Found on social media profiles, forums, or old accounts.

• Passwords: Reused across multiple platforms, often from previous breaches.

• Old or abandoned accounts: Even accounts you no longer use can be exploited.

If attackers find just one weak link, your digital life becomes much easier to compromise.

The 10-Second Defense Strategy

The good news is you don’t need to be a tech wizard to protect yourself. These quick actions can significantly reduce your exposure:

1. Hide Your Email From Public View

• Review your social media profiles.

• Remove or limit email visibility.

• Avoid posting email addresses in public forums or comment sections.

2. Check for Reused Passwords

• Use a password manager to identify reused or weak passwords.

• Create strong, unique passwords for every account.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

3. Close Old Accounts

• Check for accounts you no longer use.

• Delete or deactivate them to prevent hackers from exploiting forgotten credentials.

These steps take less than 10 seconds each, but they dramatically lower your risk.

Why Intentional Cybersecurity Matters

Most people think cybersecurity is complicated — that you need expensive tools or advanced skills. The truth is that intentional, small actions often have the biggest impact.

Every profile you secure, every account you clean up, every password you strengthen creates a chain of protection. Hackers move on to easier targets when they encounter these barriers.

Stay Ahead With CrawlTechTips

At CrawlTech, we believe cybersecurity should be practical, accessible, and effective. Our CrawlTechTips series helps Canadians implement quick, actionable strategies that protect them online.

For more in-depth guidance, tips, and resources, visit us at: crawltech.ca

🔒 Key Takeaways

1. Hackers start with public information — protect it first.

2. 10-second checks can prevent major breaches.

3. Regularly review and update passwords, accounts, and public info.

4. Stay intentional — cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated.