Cybercrime is a criminal activity where the affected party is a user using a computer or a network device holder. It involves a user that uses some software device, and they use it for networking.
Many times, cybercrime criminals do this to make money. Some do it to get information about the user’s activity. It is an activity that can be initiated by an individual or sometimes an organization.
Now that there is some understanding of cybercrime, let’s see how many types there are and how you can protect yourselves against them.
Awareness of cybercrime and threats
Are you concerned about cybercrime? Understanding what cybercrime is, the different types, and how to protect yourself from it will help put your mind at ease.
In the past, there were situations where people were more concerned about thefts that occurred in physical form, like money and valuable items. But in this modern age and the ever-growing world, the concept of crime has also changed. Now people are more concerned about cybercrime. These crimes can violate your physical possessions and your personal information.
This article will raise awareness among our users about cybercrime, what it is, and how they can save themselves from getting affected.
But let’s first understand what cybercrime is.
Cybercrime is a type of criminal behaviour in which a user of a computer or owner of a network equipment is the target. It involves a user who utilises a piece of software for networking purposes. Cybercriminals often do this in order to profit. Some people do it to learn more about the user’s activities. It is a task that can be started by a person or occasionally an organisation.
Now that you have a basic grasp of cybercrime, let’s look at the many forms and how you can defend yourself.
Types of cybercrime:
Email and Internet fraud
Phishing schemes that are conducted through email remain one of the most frequent forms of internet fraud, which continues to provide a significant risk to consumers of the internet as well as organisations. Swindlers will send emails with a link, and if a user clicks on the link, they will either be taken to a website that requires them to pay money, or they will be lead to a virus that is already present on their computer.
Identity fraud
The unlawful use of another person’s personal information by one person to conduct a crime, fool or defraud that person or a third party is known as identity fraud. The majority of identity fraud cases include attempts to get access to a victim’s credit card, bank account, or loan accounts in order to gain financial advantages.
False or falsified identity documents have been used in criminal conduct (such as when attempting to enter restricted places) or while interacting with government organisations, including immigration. These fake documents are frequently created today using genuine people’s identities. This may have negative effects and cause problems. Personal data is stolen and utilised in this fraud.
Theft of financial or card payment data
Scammers use the identity of banks by making the same logos as the banking company already has. Then, when users open the ID and make payments, they get redirected to the scammer’s account rather than the bank itself.
Theft and sale of corporate data
Corporate data is stolen, hacking is done, and all private files are stolen. Unauthorised or unlawful exfiltration, transfer, or copying of private data or intellectual property from business networks, servers, or computers to a third-party site is known as firm data theft.
Cyber extortion
Hackers are demanding money in this scam. Only when the user gives money to the scammer will they fall prey to hacking and save themselves from a threatened attack. An attack or threat of an attack combined with a demand for money or another response in exchange for preventing or resolving the attack constitutes cyber extortion. Accessing a company’s networks and finding vulnerable points or valuable targets are the goals of cyber extortion attempts.
Ransomware attacks
This scam is also a type of cyberextortion. Cybercriminals utilise malware, or harmful software, known as ransomware. When ransomware infects a computer or network, it either prevents access to the system or encrypts its data.
Crypto-jacking
This scam is done by using cryptocurrencies. Hackers mine cryptocurrency using resources they do not own. In the context of cybercrime, the activity known as “cryptojacking” refers to the unauthorised use of other people’s electronic devices (such as computers, smartphones, tablets, or even servers) by criminals in order for them to mine bitcoin.
Cyberespionage
This scam is widespread. Here, hackers access government or company data. Malicious hackers may conduct cyber espionage (also known as cyberespionage) against a company or governmental organisation. Cyber espionage, often known as cyber spying, aims to give attackers information that gives them an edge over competing businesses or governments.
Infringing copyright
Using someone else’s material and claiming it as their own. A copyright infringement occurs when a work protected by a copyright is used without permission for a purpose for which a copyright holder has been granted exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce, distribute, display, or perform the protected work, or the right to create derivative works.
Illegal gambling
Illegal gambling is not permitted in the country. Sports parlay cards, horse betting with bookies, numbers, illegal casinos, and sports betting with bookmakers are the five main categories of illegal gambling. These all are Illegal Gambling.
Selling illegal items online
This fraud entails the sale of goods that are prohibited from being sold in the nation and are illegal. Popular goods including alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fresh produce, and animals, among others, are prohibited from being sold online without special permits. Additionally, it depends on the provinces and municipalities.
Awareness of cybercrimes
Now that we clearly understand cybercrimes and their types, the next question is how people can be made aware of them. How can they prevent themselves from falling prey to a cybercriminal? There is a need to educate people properly to make them aware of it. This scenario of cybercrime is becoming more famous daily and more common than regular theft.
People need to be aware of it, which can be done through social media campaigns. Various seminars should be initiated to make people understand the scenarios of cybercrime. They need to be educated about it.
Apart from that, we want our users to be educated about it and become socially aware of the risks they can encounter daily. Following are some ways to help users not fall prey to a cybercriminal predator.
Update software:
Make sure to keep your operating system and software updated. This will help you stay updated on all the security options your application offers.
Use trusted anti-virus software.
Anti-virus software should be permanently installed on your device. Use a trusted application so it can notify you if any malware software is trying to attack your device. You can download our Geekway Pro Safeguard and Pc Optimizer to protect you and your pc.
Different and robust passwords:
Make sure to use a password that is not very simple. It should include digits, symbolic letters, and alphabets as well. Make it complex but one that you can remember as well. Also, if one app gets hacked, don’t use one password for all applications. Only one will be affected; otherwise, all the information from other applications will also be at risk.
Spam emails and their attachments:
Spam emails are a common way for malware to attack. Please don’t open any attachments unless you know it’s from a trusted company.
No personal information
No personal information should be given out publicly. If you get a call from a company asking you for some personal information, confirm the number and only give information if it’s trustworthy.
These points should be kept in mind, as this will help make people aware of the dangers of cybercrime and its associated activities and how to stay away from them.
