The internet is an ever-popular target for cybercriminals. Never mind new stories about industrial-scale hacks on government bodies and banks – everyday people and businesses are a major target.
Awareness of the types of crimes they commit is key to your well-being. Read on to learn about three types of cybercrime and how to protect yourself.
1. Identity Theft
Stealing someone’s identity allows criminals access to their bank accounts and sensitive information. It can allow them to pose as the individual for fraudulent purposes.
You must protect your passwords, emails, and any other sensitive material you or your business may be keeping. Monitoring which passwords are used for what, who has access to each password, and what these passwords protect is cybersecurity 101. This is why it is essential to have Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM).
CIEM is a technology that helps you monitor your passwords and other sensitive documents and information you may have stored on the cloud.
Identity theft is a serious issue that affects millionsof people every year. People lose so much money because their bank information and passwords get stolen. Protect yourself by creating secure passwords, regularly changing them, and using CIEM to help monitor your information.
2. Ransomware
Ransomware is malicious software designed by cybercriminals. It is disguised and looks like a regular piece of software. However, it is actually a malicious program designed to steal money or other sensitive information.
It does this by encrypting other programs and software on your computer so you cannot access them. It will then demand a certain amount of money for it to give you access to your software again.
One thing you can do to protect yourself is to have backups of all essential programs and information saved elsewhere so that you still have access to them. Also, program scanners will help you determine if a program could be malicious.
If you realize you’ve been the victim of a ransomware attack, it’s essential not to panic. Instead, contact all relevant parties and authorities and proceed only after receiving expert advice.
3. Website Spoofing & Phishing
Website spoofing is a subtle method of cybercrime and one that many people are not as aware of to be looking for. It often goes hand in hand with phishing.
Website spoofing is when a cybercriminal makes a website that is a similar-looking copy of a real website. This goal is to trick you into giving them your email, passwords, and other sensitive information.
They may also have you download links or files that may actually be malware or ransomware to try and get even more information out of you.
Criminals encourage people to visit a fake website by sending an attractive-looking email with a dodgy link. This is called phishing. Phishing crimes are known to have cost companies millions of dollars.
The best and easiest way to protect yourself from these attacks is by not opening any emails or links you are unsure of. If you do not recognize the email coming, or if the email looks suspicious, you should not open or click it. You should also immediately report it as spam or potential fraud.
Final Thoughts: Keep an Eye Out For Cybercrime
Millions of people are affected every year by cybercrime. Thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself and prevent yourself from becoming one of those people.
Make sure to keep your passwords secure and use CIEM software to keep track of your info on the cloud. Do not download any programs you don’t recognize, as they might be ransomware, and never click on any links or emails you are unsure of.
Editor-in-Chief | Seat42F, a leading source of entertainment news, information, television and movie resources.
