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How Hackers Exploit Everyday Tools: A Simple Guide to Stay Safe

Siva
4 min readNov 27, 2024

In the digital world, cyber threats are everywhere, and some of them come from tools we use daily without much thought. Have you ever clicked on a shortcut file or shared files between computers? If so, you could be vulnerable to some common but dangerous attacks. In this blog, we’ll break down three sneaky cyber tricks — .url files, credential hashing attacks, and SMB exploits—and how to protect yourself in simple terms.

1. .url Files: Innocent-Looking but Dangerous

What Are .url Files?

.url files are shortcuts to websites. For instance, when you click a .url file, it opens your browser and takes you to the linked site. Simple and convenient, right?

How They Can Be Dangerous

Hackers can turn .url files into traps. These files might pretend to take you to a safe site but instead:

  • Redirect you to a malicious website to steal your information.
  • Run harmful commands on your computer without your knowledge.

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