How do hackers get passwords? 7 sneaky tactics you should know

Hackers are pretty clever. But the good news is, once you understand how hackers work, you can stay a step ahead of them. One way to do that? Knowing the most common tactics hackers use to steal passwords. 

Whether it's phishing emails or public Wi-Fi traps, password theft can happen to anyone. And if your family shares devices or accounts, that risk multiplies. The best defense? Awareness, smart habits, and digital tools like Greenlight Family Shield, which monitors for identity theft and suspicious activity*.

1. Phishing: Tricking you into giving your info away

Phishing is when hackers pretend to be someone you trust, like your bank, a popular app, or even a coworker or family member. These messages often urge you to click a link and "verify" or "update" your account information.The link then often takes you to a fake site that looks legitimate. If you enter your information, the hacker now has access.

These scams can also happen via text (smishing), QR codes (quishing), or phone calls (vishing). When opening emails or text messages, always double check the sender's address or number. Hover over links before clicking, and when in doubt, open a new tab and type in the website yourself.

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2. Data breaches: When websites get hacked

We’ve all heard about big companies having data breaches. When a website or company gets hacked, millions of usernames and passwords can be leaked. These stolen credentials often end up for sale on the dark web, where hackers buy and use them to break into other accounts.

If you use the same password across multiple sites, one breach can open the door to your entire online life. 

3. Weak or reused passwords

Hackers use programs that can guess millions of common passwords in minutes. If your password is short, simple, or reused across accounts, it's an easy target. Common passwords like "123456" or "qwerty" can be guessed within seconds.

Always create strong, unique passwords for each account. Use a mix of letters (upper and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. Consider passphrases—a string of unrelated words that are easy to remember but hard to guess, like "BlueTiger!Ocean99$". A password manager can simplify this by generating and storing complex passwords for you.

4. Keyloggers: Malware that records your keystrokes

Keyloggers are a type of malware that secretly records everything you type, including usernames and passwords. They can be installed through infected websites, fake software updates, or malicious attachments. Once installed, they silently send your data to hackers.

To stay safe, keep your antivirus and anti-malware software up to date. Don’t download apps or files from unfamiliar sources, and educate kids on avoiding suspicious pop-ups or downloads while using shared family devices.

5. Shoulder surfing: Yes, people still do this

It might seem old-fashioned, but shoulder surfing—watching someone type their password in public—still happens. This can occur anywhere: on a school campus, at an airport, or in a busy coffee shop. Hackers might even film you with their phone without you noticing.

Use discretion when entering passwords in public. Shield your screen, use a privacy screen filter on your device, and teach kids to be aware of their surroundings, especially when logging into school or social accounts.

6. Public Wi-Fi attacks

Free public Wi-Fi may seem harmless, but it can be a goldmine for hackers. If the network isn’t secure, hackers can intercept the data you're sending and receiving. Worse yet, some create fake Wi-Fi hotspots with believable names to trick users into connecting.

To protect your data, avoid accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi. If you need to, use a VPN (virtual private network) to encrypt your internet traffic. And always verify you’re connecting to the correct network provided by the venue.

7. Brute force attacks

Brute force attacks involve hackers using software to systematically try every possible combination of characters until they guess your password. It sounds tedious, but with modern computing power, simple passwords can be cracked in seconds.

To guard against this, use longer passwords (at least 12 characters), include random combinations, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever it’s available. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone.

Protect your family with Greenlight

Greenlight's Family Shield plan is designed to help families detect, prevent, and recover from cyber threats. It includes:

• Up to $1 million in identity theft coverage**

• Dark web and credit monitoring*

• Alerts for unusual financial activity

• Scam protection with deceptive transfer fraud coverage**

Protect your loved ones' finances. The risk of fraud and money mishaps increases as we age, even for independent adults. Secure your family's financial future with Greenlight Family Shield. 

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

*Premium monitoring services are offered by Experian.

**Insurance offered by Acrisure, LLC is provided by ACE American Insurance Company and its U.S.-based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. www.chubb.com. Additional details can be viewed here. See link for policy information. Insurance Products are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency and are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate.