Cybercrime Awareness

We are all living in the age of Information and Communication Technology, and the development of information and communication technology affects nearly all lives. And in the modern age, we become addicted to computers and the internet. And we can’t deny the importance of the internet in our life. The widespread use of mobile devices has enabled Internet access and has increased the exposure of both individuals and organizations to cybercrime.

Cybercrime is a computer crime that involves a wide range of criminal activities that are carried out by using and/or targeting a computer or related system especially illegally to access, transmit or manipulate data. Criminals of the World Wide Web exploit internet users’ personal information for their gain. They dive deep into the dark web to buy and sell illegal products and services. They even gain access to classified government information.

Cybercrime is a relatively new and growing area for both civil and criminal investigation. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and much of the world’s workforce shift to working from home, increased data breaches are at an all-time high. Many cybercriminals have been taking advantage of this by leveraging outdated cybersecurity measures companies have in place.

It can include the distant theft of information belonging to an individual, government, or corporate sector through criminal trespassing into unauthorized remote systems around the world. It includes stealing millions of rupees from online banks to harassing and stalking cyber users.

Cybercrime has created a major threat to those who use the internet, with millions of users’ information stolen within the past few years. The best thing to protect from cybercrime is to take some precautions. If you are using the internet, then definitely you should be aware of the following tips to protect yourself from cybercrime.

Cybercrime takes many different forms.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that prevents a user from accessing a computer or data. The computer itself may become locked. The data on it might be stolen, deleted, or encrypted.

Account compromise

Many things can alert you to the fact that someone else is accessing your account. Being locked out of the account is an obvious sign that something has gone wrong. However, the signs can be more subtle.

Business email compromise

Business email compromise (BEC) is a form of a phishing attack. A criminal can try to trick a senior executive (or budget holder) into transferring funds. It can also be about revealing sensitive information.

Denial of service attack

This is when your business, personal website, or IT system has come under some form of cyber-attack. Users are then unable to access the systems.

Stay Cyber-Safe

Make sure to practice good cyber safety and protect data that belongs to you. Protect your passwords and think twice before clicking on links. Even if the message looks like it is from someone you know, take that extra second to verify the message source.
Securely delete files from old hard drives and devices and then destroy them as soon as possible. Delete sensitive information when it’s no longer needed.
Purge your digital spaces of clutter that can make you easy prey to identity theft and cybercrime. Keep clean machines, and keep your devices, browsers, and apps up to date. Those updates don’t just contain new features, but fix security flaws and keep you protected!
Learn how to spot phishing messages like a pro and resist online scam attempts. If you recognize suspected scams and other suspicious activities, report them.
“Spear phishing” and “whaling” are specific kinds of phishing attacks that target potentially high-value cybercrime victims.
Protect yourself from social engineering tactics and follow safety in your online presence. Social engineering refers to methods that cybercriminals can use to gain access to their personal information.
Take action to protect your online information and think about the privacy implications of your online activities.
Don’t become a victim of identity theft. Learn how to protect yourself from tax fraud.
Shop cyber smart while online shopping. Only shop from reliable websites and get there safely.
Secure your credit cards while shopping online.
Refresh your knowledge of the habits to keep you safe online.
Protect your children online and teach them about potential risks that can arise when they share information.