We spoke to Snapchat star James Kavanagh following his “hacking hell”, and he has some sound advice for all of us regarding our online protection.
As the news broke that his Snapchat had been hacked, his army of followers were up in arms and completely distraught that they’d lost their daily dose of the Dublin diva.
https://twitter.com/Paula_Tierney/status/750443665840037888
https://twitter.com/PokingBagels/status/750416079252578304
This is the most beautiful message I've ever received. I will be back soon. #PrayForKava pic.twitter.com/GMM9dG3Pac
— James Kavanagh (@JamesKavanagh_) July 5, 2016
Thankfully, order has been restored in the universe and James was reinstated as the King of Snapchat yesterday, much to the delight of his loyal following. Gorge.
Stop it – I adore you 💕 Welcome back!!! pic.twitter.com/dL4IAuak59
— Anna O'Donoghue 🌻 (@AnnaVDesigns) July 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/DannersWorld/status/750734065398063104
Kavanagh explained his ordeal in a snap he entitled ‘My Hacking Hell’. He was the target of a vicious hack that started while he was helpless in a Dublin taxi. Hackers managed to gain access to his Snapchat, Twitter, and email accounts, then changed his password and gained full control of the social media star’s platforms.
What happened to James reveals a worrying trend in the online world as fraud, catfishing, and hacking become more prevalent. Luckily, James has some tips lest we fall into the hands of meddlesome online muggers.
So James, first and foremost, how in the hell did you cope?
I didn’t! I called about 7,000 people in a flurry of panic, seeking advice. And worst of all, when the hack was happening and I was getting mad emails while the taxi driver was trying to lecture me on the bin charges. I was so stressed out. And the irony of it all is that it happened on the 4th of July – the day I LOST my independence. I think the day should be rebranded in my honour tbh. But the Snappers have been lovely; Roz P, James Patrice, Vogue etc. have all given me shout outs helping me get my following back.
Any advice on password protection for our readers?
YES. I have been talking to techy peeps and they said you really need to be changing your passwords monthly. Yes, that sounds outrageous, but hacking is at an all time high. Also, I downloaded (it’s free) Dashlane for my laptop and phone and it’s a fab password manager that works from a master password. Give it a whirl.
While we have you: RTÉ come to you and offer you €50,000, a camera crew, and no script. What do you do?
I’d love to make a programme called ‘Iconic Irish Glam Bitches‘, an hour-long documentary where I visit four of my favourite Irish women. First part, I go to Twink’s gaff, have a few G&Ts, laugh and cry about her journey through the theatre world and chat the dogs going missing.
Second bit, I sober up and go to Enya’s house, chat about her musical career, and then dance around her castle to ‘Orinoco Flow’.
Then, I go to Anne Doyle’s house and talk about her being the most unreal news reader ever. I then try reading the news in an Anne fashion – wearing her iconic red power suit.
Finally, I visit Linda Martin to talk about her beef with Twink and then we sing Get Lucky together.
Finally, out of these people, who would you “shift, bring home to mammy, or casually cross the street to avoid” and why: Anne Doyle, Jon Snow and Sharon Needles?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHjQF4IgCS6/?taken-by=sharonneedlespgh&hl=en
I would bring Anne home to me mammy because we love her, I would shift/ ride Jon Snow because he’s beautiful, and I’d casually cross the street for Sharon Needles because that’s the only other option. But then I’d cross again and have the chats because she looks like gas craic!
Moral of the story folks: password protection is crucial, and someone needs to give James and William a reality show ASAP. Add James on Snapchat @JamesKSnaps
