What is Cybercrime?
Cybercrime is any criminal activity
that involves a computer, networked device or a network.
A cybercriminal may use a device to
access a user’s personal information, confidential business
information, government information, or disable a device.
Cybercrime also be referred as computer
crime.
Crime that target computer networks or
devices. These types of crimes include viruses and DoS attacks.
Crimes that use computer networks to
advance criminal activities. These types of crimes include
cyberstalking, phishing and fraud or identity theft.
Tips
to prevent cyber crime Victim:
Use
Strong Passwords
Use
different user ID / password combinations for different accounts and
avoid writing them down. Make the passwords more complicated by
combining letters, numbers, special characters (minimum 10 characters
in total) and change them on a regular basis.
Secure
your computer
Activate
your firewall – Firewalls are the first line of cyber defense; they
block connections to unknown or bogus sites and will keep out some
types of viruses and hackers.
Use anti-virus/malware software
Prevent
viruses from infecting your computer by installing and regularly
updating anti-virus software.
Block
spyware attacks
Prevent
spyware from infiltrating your computer by installing and updating
anti-spyware software.
Be
Social-Media Savvy
Make
sure your social networking profiles (e.g. Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, MSN, etc.) are set to private.
Check
your security settings.
Be
careful what information you post online. Once it is on the Internet,
it is there forever!
Secure
your Mobile Devices
Be
aware that your mobile device is vulnerable to viruses and hackers.
Download
applications from trusted sources.
Install the latest operating
system updates
Keep your applications and operating system (e.g.
Windows, Mac, Linux) current with the latest system updates.
Turn
on automatic updates to prevent potential attacks on older software.
Protect
your Data
Use
encryption for your most sensitive files such as tax returns or
financial records
Make
regular back-ups of all your important data, and store it in another
location.
Secure
your wireless network
Wi-Fi
(wireless) networks are vulnerable to intrusion if they are not
properly secured.
Review
and modify default settings.
Public
Wi-Fi, “Hot Spots”, are also vulnerable. Avoid conducting
financial or corporate transactions on these networks.
Protect
your e-identity
Be
cautious when giving out personal information such as your name,
address, phone number or financial information on the Internet.
Make
sure that websites are secure (e.g. when making online purchases) or
that you’ve enabled privacy settings (e.g. when accessing/using
social networking sites).
Avoid
being scammed
Always
think before you click on a link or file of unknown origin.
Don’t
feel pressured by any emails. Check the source of the message. When
in doubt, verify the source.
Never
reply to emails that ask you to verify your information or confirm
your user ID or password.
Call
the right person for help
Don’t
panic! If you are a victim, if you encounter illegal Internet content
(e.g. child exploitation) or if you suspect a computer crime,
identity theft or a commercial scam, report this to your local
police. If you need help with maintenance or software installation on
your computer, consult with your service provider or a certified
computer technician.