Protecting Against Cybercrime
Cybercriminals find new ways to exploit the digital world every day, and their victims lose billions each year. Every company must make cybersecurity a priority to ward off these attacks and have a plan in place in case one is successful. Cybercrime prevention measures should continuously evolve to address emerging threats, and all employees must be involved in this protection. This process begins with fully understanding what cybercrime is.
What is Cybercrime?
Any illegal activity that takes place in the digital world is a cybercrime. Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems or manipulate humans into sharing sensitive data to gain a benefit. People often assume cybercriminals commit their crimes for financial reasons. However, their motivation may be rooted in ideology, politics, or the desire to gain recognition from other hackers.
Cybercrimes come in many forms. Internet scams remain the most common, and people fall victim to phishing emails and social media scams every day. However, individuals must also watch out for malware, hacking, and data breaches. Identity theft remains a concern, and online harassment is becoming more common.
Protecting Against Cybercriminals
People may take several steps to protect themselves from falling victim to a cybercriminal. Creating strong, unique passwords for each website is the first step, and two-factor authentication should be used whenever it is offered. Software must be regularly updated to eliminate any known vulnerabilities, and people must be careful when sharing information online. Always limit the information shared on these sites to close family and friends. Cybercriminals use publicly available information to their benefit.
Strengthen the home network by using a strong, unique password rather than the default network security key. Use the strongest wireless security protocol available, and routinely update the router’s firmware. Employ a VPN to encrypt internet traffic for an added layer of data security.
Use available tools to determine if any of your passwords have been exposed in a data breach, and monitor emerging threats. Check bank statements each month and contact the bank if you notice any unusual activity. A quick response minimizes financial losses.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links. Cybercriminals are savvy and will send emails or social media requests that appear to come from a friend or family member. If the email or request isn’t expected, contact the individual and ask whether they sent anything. If they didn’t, they have likely been hacked and need to change their passwords. Any message with a generic greeting or urgent message is probably a scam, as cybercriminals know people fall for these tricks regularly.
Identity theft remains a concern today. Every person needs to protect their Social Security number and monitor their credit reports to identify suspicious activity quickly. They can then take steps to protect themselves. Furthermore, they should know what steps to take if they become a victim to recover from the incident as soon as possible.
When a person becomes the victim of a cybercrime, they need to alert the proper authorities. They may need to reach out to local law enforcement, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or the Federal Trade Commission. An attack can happen at any time, but quick action can minimize the effects of the attack. Act quickly so the damage is minimal.