Some of you may recall I was a Global CMO for a large company that delivers end point protection across mult-platforms and devices, its a true statement that everyone has the right to be free of cybersecurity fears.
There’s no doubt that cybercrime and cybersecurity are hot topics. Indeed, according to Comparitech, global cybercrime damages predicted to cost $6 trillion annually by 2021, it’s important to be in-the-know about the potential threat cybercrime poses, the impact it is having, and what is being done about it.
One of the biggest problems in trying to understand what’s happening in the ever-changing world of cybersecurity is that there is just so much information out there. Not only are the nature of threats constantly evolving, but the responses to them differ across the globe.
Despite an overall decrease in fraud and computer misuse in 2017, the latest UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports show that incidents involving computer misuse and malware against business are way up.
There were 4.7 million incidents of fraud and computer misuse in the 12 months to September 2017, a 15% decrease from the previous year, according to the latest crime figures and this is just for England and Wales.
The latest figures suggest that while consumer-targeted attacks might be falling, as consumer-grade security improves, cyber criminals are now shifting their gaze to the potentially more profitable enterprise sector.
Andy Waterhouse, pre-sales director for Europe at RSA Security, said UK business is facing tougher conditions than ever as cyber attackers chase greater profits.
“In this post-WannaCry world, both consumers and organisations need to do more to assess their data, identify their most valuable assets, and protect these ‘crown jewels’ as best they can through a mix of multi-factor authentication, strong and unique passwords and a greater level of education on cyber skills,” he said.
Today I have the pleasure of introducing another Guest Blogger, Karthik Reddy, who is an accomplished Editor with a demonstrated history of working in the online media industry. Skilled in on-line content creation, WordPress, and editing. Strong media and communication professional with a Master In Business Administration focused in International Business from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University.
Karthik is going to talk to us about the cybercrime and what is needed to prevent them.
As a society, we cherish our right to privacy probably more than anything else. Sharing is great, and we all enjoy it, but there is always that other side, the untold story, the personal, the secret. Now, let’s extrapolate this to a societal level. How many information is out there, purposely being concealed for the sake of greater good, for the sake of our own safety? The number is probably unfathomable. Today, when everything is online, and our lives are intertwined with a world most of us know nothing about, privacy and safety become an issue of epic proportions.
That is why we need to talk about cybercrime and utilize the very best VPNs. However, instead of writing a tract of tedious length, here is an infographic that outlines the most important cybercrime facts all of us should be aware of in 2018.
The internet has opened many doors for us. It shows us a world of possibilities.
Whether it is for fun, business or education, we spend a lot of time online.
We pay our bills, transfer money, order products and post photos of our children.
Remote workers are getting paid online, and travelers buy tickets with just a click.
But the cyberspace holds a lot of secrets.
We may think we are always safe but just think about all of those times you’ve given your personal information on a social media platform or on a forum.
Search engines and social media systems are gathering your personal data in order to present you with the best possible results. They keep track of all your movements and check-ins, and suggest friends on Facebook based on mutual friends and interests.
(original image: cybercrime facts – click on image below to enlarge)
Cybercrimes are affecting us all, breaching into our professional and personal lives.
I’m not saying we should stop using the internet, but we should all be aware of the security issues, some of which can be prevented.
It’s an occurrence that mustn’t be ignored.
Using a VPN service can help with hacker attacks and provide you with more privacy. It helps securing data flowing between your PC, mobile phone, and tablet.
Most affected industries are business, healthcare, education, as well as governments and military organizations.
Lately, hackers and frauds have been targeting small businesses because big corporations are regularly working to improve their security. Spending on cyberprotection has risen to 2.5 billion in 2016.
The most common cybercrimes are phishing, spam, and ransomware.
80% of these criminal acts are committed by the tech-savvy young people.
Now, let’s examine some of the most harmful cybercrimes.
– Hacking is an act when someone enters your computer without your knowledge or consent. Hackers can post and act in your name, steal your bank details and infect your computer system with viruses.
– Phishing is a scam that uses people’s naivety to extract credit card passwords and bank statements. Fraudsters create fake websites and email you links full of malware.
– Ransomware is a malware attack that locks access to your files and demands a certain amount of money to give you the access key. The average ransom demand is up to $679. Most antivirus programs can’t even recognize ransomware malware. Your computer devices can get infected by clicking on fake websites, infected email attachments or malicious downloads.
– Botnets, networks of infected computers, send spams and overload websites. They are also used for information theft and pranks.
– Denial-of-service attacks stop computers from working properly. They overload the system causing it to slow down or crash.
– Online identity theft is an impersonation of other people with the purpose of using their finances. These tricksters can take up loans in your name and use your medical benefits.
– Cyberstalking is a relatively new form of cybercrime which involves pursuing someone online. The stalker verbally assaults the victim via email, social media networks, and websites. Children and women are the most common victims of cyberstalking. Paedophiles and other predators keep track of the victims and abuse them mentally.
In order to protect yourself or your ebusiness from becoming a cyberattack victim, follow at least some of these tips.
Most significant perhaps, is to be careful with your email address and usernames. Use a gender-neutral nickname for your online accounts and don’t give your email address to unknown and shady websites or individuals.
It is of the utmost importance not to give your personal data such as address, phone number, social security number and bank details to any online entities.
Never use the same email address for business and personal purposes.
If you have multiple social media accounts and emails, and chances are you do, use different passwords for each one. The passwords should be strong, long and contain letters and numbers.
Make sure to update them regularly.
Also, your personal information on social media should be locked down.
Phishing emails are the most popular way of cybercrimes since they start innocently enough.
Every month there are more than 8,000 reports of phishing scams.
Don’t trust business offers and deals from strange people and websites.
Even clicking on links and opening attachments in these shady emails can be disastrous to your cybersecurity.
Use anti-malware software and a firewall on your computer.
Another good idea is to use a VPN to hide your IP and location. Surf anonymously, and prevent unwanted monitoring.
Last but not the least, educate your children to use the internet safely and responsibly. Make sure they don’t talk to strangers, post photos and give personal information. Let them know to talk to you if they encounter any suspicious offers, cyberbullying or harassment.
Even celebrities aren’t spared from cyberattacks. Emma Watson, Jessica Alba, and Tiger Woods are some of the celebrities whose online accounts have been hacked.
LinkedIn, Yahoo and Target were also cyberattack victims.
Cybercrimes are likely to increase in the following years due to the lack of laws and regulations in some countries. Cybersecurity specialists will continue to fight frauds, but these criminals are protected by being invisible.
If you have any questions for Karthik, please email him on: karthik@bestwebmstertools.com
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