You might think that the only form of Cyber Crime you have to worry about is hackers stealing your financial information. Unfortunately there are far more concerns than just basic financial ones. When you see the full list of cybercrimes out there, you might be tempted to stop using the Internet entirely. However, such drastic measures are not necessary. All you need to do to protect yourself is take some basic precautions and know who to contact when you see others engaged in criminal activities online.
What Is Cybercrime?
Cybercrime is any crime that takes place online or primarily online. That can run the gamut from the aforementioned identity theft and other security breaches to things like “revenge porn,” cyber-stalking, harassment, bullying and even child sexual exploitation. Terrorists are collaborating more on the Internet, moving that most terrifying of crimes into cyberspace.
While much of the below are technical solutions to prevent you being hacked and scammed, hacking done well is really the skill of tricking human beings, not computers, by preying on their gullibility, taking advantage of our trust, greed or altruistic impulses. Here is a list of dos and don’ts that will protect your online accounts from hackers.
There are some basic precautions everyone using the Internet should take to protect themselves from the gamut of cybercrimes out there:
1. Change 'pass-phrase' often
If you think your one-word password with a number at the end makes the cut for online security, think again.
"We all need a strong and hard-to-guess password," Mr MacGibbon said.
"Really we should call it a pass-phrase because it can be a series of words that you string together."
And if you're using the same password across multiple sites to keep it simple, you're likely making it easy for online criminals.
"It's important to have a different [password] for each of the services that you use," Mr MacGibbon said.
"If you use the same password across multiple sites and it's compromised in one place, then it can also be used in others."
How to set Up Strong password
2. Use anti-virus software
Use a full-service Internet security suite such as Norton Security Premium to ensure that you are protecting yourself against viruses, as well as other emerging threats on the Internet.
Your net-savvy friend may tell you that he doesn’t have anti-virus on his computer because it slows things down. But look at it this way, one wrong click and he may have to make the entire Data from scratch.
3.Don't store your card details on websites
It's easier for hackers to use, too:
There's no doubt that storing your credit card information on a site or in an app makes it easier for you to make your purchase and move on to the next thing on your to-do list.
Often, all you have to do to is select the stored card from a pull-down menu, and you're set. You don't even have to enter the card security code.
It's easy and convenient. The problem is that if your account gets hacked, it makes it easier for bad guys to shop there using your card, too. That's about the last thing you want.
4. Keep all your software updated.
This is most important with your operating systems and Internet security suites. Hackers are most likely to use known exploits in your software to gain access to your system. Patching those exploits makes it far less likely that you’re going to be a victim.
Talk to your children about acceptable use of the Internet without shutting down communication channels. Make sure they know that they can come to you in the event that they’re experiencing any kind of online harassment, bullying or stalking.
5. Manage your social media settings
Your social media settings to keep most of your personal and private information locked down. Social engineering cybercriminals can often get your personal information with just a few data points, so the less you share with the broader world, the better.
6.Don't bank on public wi-fi
Most Wi-Fi hotspots do not encrypt information and once a piece of data leaves your device headed for a web destination, any 'packet sniffer' (a programme which can intercept data) can intercept your unencrypted data. If you choose to bank online on public Wi-Fi, that's very sensitive data you are transferring.
7. Secure your home network
Secure your home network with a strong encryption password as well as a VPN. A VPN will encrypt all traffic leaving your devices until it arrives at its destination. Even if a hacker manages to get in your communication line, they won’t intercept anything but encrypted traffic.
Keeping a common password for all online accounts is a lot like having the same key for all locks.
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