Hacked!

Let me tell you about what happened to a friend of mine. It's a perfect storm of how modern hackers work, and it's scary because it could happen to anyone. Here's how it went down:

First, he was using an older iPad and iPhone that Apple no longer supported with security updates. That's like leaving your door unlocked in a neighborhood where you know burglars are active. The Russian hackers found this vulnerability and used it as their first way in.

But here's where it gets really clever – and really scary. The hackers found an authentic email from his CPA about a new service that was coming soon. Think about that – they dug through old emails to find something they could use. Then, they perfectly replicated that CPA's email format and sent a fake "follow-up" email with a malicious link. It looked exactly like the email he was expecting.

When he clicked that link (and honestly, who wouldn't?), it gave the hackers complete access to his iPad. From there, it spread like wildfire – to his iPhone, his wife's devices, even his overseas phone. And when they couldn't get into the financial accounts because those were locked down? The hackers got vindictive and started deleting everything they could access, including years of documents and work files.

According to the experts he hired to help, the Russian hackers had been lurking in his iPad for almost a month. They said that's not unusual. They look for patterns and when they realized that he and his wife had gone overseas it was perfect for them. People on vacations often don’t have access to their accounts or don’t check them as often.

Hackers might lurk for a while, but they usually take any nefarious actions on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday when people are also less likely to be monitoring their accounts.

Why This Story Matters

This isn't some movie plot – this is happening right now, often by sophisticated groups operating from countries like Russia. And the scariest part? Every step made sense from the victim's perspective. They:

- Clicked on what appeared to be a legitimate email from their actual CPA

- Followed up on a service they knew was coming

- Had no way of knowing their devices were vulnerable

- Lost access to everything because of one carefully crafted attack

- Didn’t have a separate backup that wasn’t hooked to the internet

The Perfect Storm: How Multiple Issues Stack Up

Let's break down why this attack was so successful, because it shows all the ways we need to protect ourselves:

1. Outdated Devices

The first crack in the armor was using devices that no longer received security updates. It's like having an old lock that locksmiths know how to pick easily.

2. Email Forward Failures

There was a complex email forwarding setup that meant warning messages never reached the right people. The lesson? Always verify that important security notifications have a clear path to reach you.

3. Social Engineering Excellence

The hackers didn't just guess – they did their homework. They found real emails, understood relationships with service providers, and crafted the perfect trap.

How to Protect Yourself

After seeing how this all played out, here are the critical steps you need to take:

1. Device Security

- Check if your devices still receive security updates

- If they don't, it's time to upgrade – no exceptions

- Keep everything updated, always

2. Email Security

- Be suspicious even of emails that look legitimate

- Verify unexpected requests through a different channel (like calling your CPA directly)

- Set up proper email forwarding and verify it works

- Regularly check spam folders for security warnings

3. Account Protection

- Use unique, complex passwords for everything

- Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts

- Regularly audit who has admin access to your accounts

- Keep financial accounts separate from everyday devices

4. Data Protection

- Back up everything important regularly

- Keep offline copies of critical documents

- Use cloud storage with versioning to recover deleted files

- Document all your important accounts and contacts

- Have an offsite backup. I use a separate hard disk I can plug in that copies my entire system with a single click.

The Reality Check

Look, I know this is terrifying. But here's the thing – these attacks work because they're designed to seem completely normal. The hackers don't wear hoodies and type furiously in dark rooms. They're patient professionals who study their targets and wait for the perfect moment.

Moving Forward

The best defense is staying informed and skeptical. Not paranoid – skeptical. That means:

- If an email asks you to click something, stop and think

- If a service you use is changing something, verify through their official website

- Keep your devices updated or replace them

- Back up everything important

- Have a plan for when (not if) something goes wrong

The Silver Lining

The good news? Every attack like this teaches us something. We learn how to be more secure, more aware, and better prepared. And now you know exactly what to watch for.

We're all figuring out how to stay safe in an increasingly complex digital world. The key is learning from others' experiences before it happens to you.