Cybercrime in the Digital Age: Protecting Yourself Online

The COVID-19 pandemic has made digital tools more integral to daily life, with a need for telework and remote communications. Cyber criminals are well aware of this trend and are ready to take advantage of it.

Cyber crimes can have devastating effects on individuals, businesses and the economy. These can include identity theft, transaction fraud, malware, and system shutdowns that result in lost revenue and productivity.

Beware of Phishing Attacks

Many cybercriminals start with phishing attacks, which can extract sensitive information like passwords or account details. This data may then be used to compromise other accounts or systems, such as point-of-sale terminals. It’s also a common way to install malware or ransomware and monetize the stolen data.

These attacks can be from nation-states engaged in espionage or manipulation and motivated by geopolitical gain; non-state organizations focused on intellectual property, business information and disruption; or independent, rogue attackers seeking to make money. Attackers often take advantage of world events to increase the success of their phishing campaigns.

Never click links or open attachments in emails or messages that you aren’t sure come from a trusted source. Also, keep your operating systems and software up to date so that you’re always protected with the latest security patches.

Protect Your Devices

As the world becomes increasingly digitalized, cybercrime is becoming more commonplace. These attacks can target individuals, companies and even critical infrastructure.

One of the most common types of cyber crimes is identity theft. Criminals use stolen personal information to make fraudulent purchases and ruin their victims’ credit.

Another type of cyber crime is hacking, which involves attacking computer systems in order to steal information or create disruptions. This can be done by nation-states, such as the attack on Maersk Line, which disrupted global operations for weeks; non-state organizations, such as rogue hackers; and private businesses.

Because the Internet is a planet-spanning network, criminals can hide behind the veil of anonymity. This makes it very difficult for law enforcement to catch them. Criminals often do these activities for financial gains, to evade legal punishment and/or to engage in a political or ideological agenda.

Update Your Software

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many businesses to go digital, but it also created a whole new set of vulnerabilities for criminals to exploit. Cyber threats can do everything from stealing personal information to disrupting critical infrastructure.

Cyber crime is one of the fastest growing threats to individuals and businesses. The good news is that there are a number of ways to protect yourself online and reduce your risk of becoming a victim of these threats.

One of the most important things you can do is to keep your software updated. Computer programs and mobile devices often have an automatic update feature that will download and install updates as they become available. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent cyber attacks.

Disable Third-Party Trackers

With people relying more than ever on technology in their daily lives, they are also putting more personal information at risk. Whether it’s hackers stealing identities or using “ransomware” to hold your information hostage, the threats are real.

Cybercriminals can access your sensitive information by hacking into your computer and even through social media posts, tweets or online advertising. It’s best to not share anything too private on social media and always be skeptical of any unsolicited emails or calls asking for your personal or financial information.

Cyber crime is different from traditional types of crimes because it can be carried out across the globe. Because of this, it requires more international cooperation to prosecute and prevent. For example, if someone downloads child pornography in a country that bans it, they could be violating a local law.

Change Your Passwords

In addition to ensuring that your devices are secure, it is important to change your passwords regularly. This is especially true if you hear about a data breach that might affect you. If you reuse passwords, it can be easy for hackers to access other accounts if one is compromised.

If you do reuse passwords, try to make them more complicated. Use at least 12 characters with a combination of letters, lower and upper case, numbers, and keyboard symbols like @ # $ % & . And be sure to choose a password manager that can generate, organize, and protect your passwords.

Cyber attacks are growing in complexity and magnitude, affecting everything from national information systems to major corporations. But you don’t have to be a target.