A cybersecurity expert says you can take these steps to make sure your accounts aren't 'low-hanging fruit' for hackers

Reuters

• Most cyber-attacks target people who haven't taken basic precautions to secure their accounts, making them "low-hanging fruit" to potential hackers.
• Changing passwords frequently, limiting the information you share online, and being clever with your personalized security questions can help secure your accounts.
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It's impossible to predict whether you'll be the victim of a cyberattack, but you can drastically reduce the odds of one in a few simple steps.

The vast majority of people whose accounts are hacked don't take basic precautions to protect them, making them "low-hanging fruit," according to Alex Heid, chief research and development officer at cybersecurity firm SecurityScorecard.

"If you're not thinking about these things, you have a nice car and you're leaving it unlocked in a bad neighborhood. And the internet is the worst neighborhood there is, in my opinion," Heid told Business Insider.

Read more: A cybersecurity expert describes the underground hacker network where stolen usernames and passwords are 'traded like Pokémon cards'

Follow these expert-recommended steps to avoid the pitfalls that can expose your accounts and sensitive information to hackers.