Cybercrime is on the rise! There are viruses everywhere! So how can you prevent falling prey to cybercrime, ransomware, and malware? Let’s start by becoming smarter than crooks with 10 ways to prevent cybercrime. They rely on your intimidation to click on everything they present to you, and statistics indicate that they are largely successful.
Every 40 seconds, ransomware hits an organization. At least 15% of companies in the top 10 industry sectors have experienced an attack. One in five companies that paid the ransom didn’t get their records back.
After “stimulating” you, let’s discuss simple ways to reduce your chances of becoming a victim. You can protect your data and yourself from cybercriminals much easier than you imagine. This is a place to start, but if you’re serious about staying away from cybercrime, check out these 10 ways to prevent cybercrime in this article.
Contents
- What Is Cybercrime?
- Types Of Cybercrime
- 10 Ways To Prevent Cybercrime
- 1. Use Strong Passwords
- 2. Use A Full-Service Internet Security Suite
- 3. Keep Your Software Updated
- 4. Recognize That Identity Theft May Occur Anywhere
- 5. Take Measures To Help Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
- 6. Manage Your Social Media Settings
- 7. Follow Significant Security Breaches
- 8. Strengthen Your Home Network
- 9. Avoid Being Scammed
- 10. Call The Right Person For Help
- Conclusion
What Is Cybercrime?
Any crime that occurs largely or exclusively online is considered a cybercrime. Cybercriminals often target computer networks or devices when committing crimes. Identity theft and security breaches are both types of cybercrime.
Cybertalk, harassment, bullying, “revenge porn” and child sexual exploitation are some examples of other cybercrimes.
Terrorists coordinate online, bringing the criminal and terrorist activity into the digital realm. Cybercrime can be carried out by individuals or organizations.
Types Of Cybercrime
Here are some more detailed cases of various types of cybercrime:
- Internet and email scams.
- Identity theft (where personal information is stolen and used).
- Theft of credit card or banking information.
- Stealing and selling data related to businesses.
- Cyberextortion (claims money to prevent a threatened attack).
- Ransomware (a type of network malware) attacks.
- Cryptojacking (where hackers mine cryptocurrencies using resources they don’t own).
- Cyberespionage (where hackers gain access to government or corporate data).
Most online crime falls into one of two categories:
- Targeted criminal activities
- Computer-related crime allows for more crimes to be committed.
Computer viruses and other forms of malware are commonly used by cybercriminals to target computers.
To harm or disable devices, cybercriminals can infect computers with malware and viruses. In addition, they can use malware to rob or steal data.
A denial of service (DoS) attack is a type of cybercrime that prohibits consumers from accessing a computer or network or prevents a company from providing software services to its customers.
Cybercrime is any crime that involves the use of computers or networks to disseminate malware, illegal data, or illegal images.
Cybercriminals can combine both types of cybercrime into one. They may start by attacking infected PCs. Then use them to spread malware over the network or to more computers.
Additionally, cybercriminals can launch a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. Similar to a DoS attack, but with the use of several machines being attacked by hackers.
10 Ways To Prevent Cybercrime
Here are 10 Ways To Prevent Cybercrime for you to protect yourself
1. Use Strong Passwords
In 10 ways to prevent cybercrime, this is the first step for you to set up a defense against cybercrime. For each account, use a unique combination of user ID and password; do not record them. Combine letters, numbers, and special characters to make passwords harder (minimum total of 10 characters) and change them often.
2. Use A Full-Service Internet Security Suite
The second of 10 ways to prevent cybercrime is to consider using reputable security software, such as Norton 360 with LifeLock Select, which provides comprehensive protection for your device, privacy online privacy, and identity and helps protect your personal and financial data online.
3. Keep Your Software Updated
With your operating system and internet security software, this is extremely important. To gain access to your system, cybercriminals often use known vulnerabilities or vulnerabilities in your software. By fixing such bugs and exploits, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime.
4. Recognize That Identity Theft May Occur Anywhere
Even when traveling, it’s a good idea to know how to secure your identity with this tip of 10 ways to prevent cybercrime. You may take a variety of steps to prevent thieves from obtaining your personal information while driving. These include not sharing your vacation plans on social media and utilizing a VPN while using the Wi-Fi at your hotel to access the internet.
5. Take Measures To Help Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when someone illegally gets your personal information through fraud or deception, usually with the intention of making money. How? For instance, a burglar may take your mail to gain access to account information, or you may be fooled into providing personal information online. Because of this, it’s crucial to protect your personal information. A VPN, or virtual private network, can also assist in securing the information you send and receive online, particularly when using a public Wi-Fi network.
6. Manage Your Social Media Settings
Keep your personal and sensitive information safe. The less public information you provide, the better because social engineering cybercriminals can often get your personal information with just a few data points. For example, you might reveal the answers to two frequently asked security questions if you release your pet’s name or reveal your mother’s maiden name. This is one of the 10 simple yet effective ways to prevent cybercrime that you can take and make it a habit.
7. Follow Significant Security Breaches
Find out what information the hackers acquired if you conduct business with a merchant or have an account on a website that has been affected by a security breach, and change your password right away. The other best tip of 10 ways to prevent cybercrime.
8. Strengthen Your Home Network
Starting with a virtual private network and a strong encryption password is a smart idea in 10 ways to prevent cybercrime. Until it reaches its destination, all traffic leaving your device will be encrypted over the VPN. Cybercriminals will only be able to access encrypted data if they successfully compromise your connection. Whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, whether it’s at a library, coffee shop, hotel, or airport, you should use a VPN.
9. Avoid Being Scammed
Never click on a link or file of an unknown origin without first considering it. Don’t let emails pressure you. Check the message’s origin. Verify the source if in doubt. Never respond to emails asking you to confirm your password, user ID, or other personal information.
10. Call The Right Person For Help
You must notify your local police and in some situations, the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission if you think you have been the victim of a cybercrime. Although the offense may seem small, it is still significant. Your information can assist law enforcement with their inquiries or prevent crooks from taking advantage of other individuals in the future. If you believe your identity has been stolen by online thieves. Here are some actions you should think about in these 10 ways to prevent cybercrime.
- Contact businesses and banks you know about fraud.
- Get your credit report and set a fraud alert.
- Notify the FTC of identity theft.
Conclusion
Fighting cybercrime is, in some ways, everyone’s concern. Consider it an obligation to contribute to the fight against cybercrime.
For the majority of individuals, this requires you to take some simple measures, 10 ways to prevent cybercrime are affordable ways to protect your family, your organization, and yourself. It also requires timely notification to the appropriate authorities about cybercrime. By doing so, you support the fight against cybercrime.