Cyber Crime Prevention
cybercrime
I would like to discuss a very stimulating subject that is Cybercrime, or in other terms, the crime committed by means of computers over the Internet. The illicit use of the computer to promote fraudulent activities such as child pornography, theft of personally identifiable information, or the violation of the policies of any association, all of these actions can be classified as cybercrimes. Most of the misbehaviors are triggered through the Internet and its study has gained importance in the last decades, because the use of the Internet is seen in all sectors of society, such as business, entertainment, medical services, sports, industry of the media.
Definition:
Most cybercriminals who break the law target information that is owned by individuals, corporations, or governments. These attacks never exist in any physical form; it always takes place virtually. One of the main aspects of these crimes is that they can be easily committed from a remote distance in a matter of seconds and it becomes very difficult to trace evidence or punish the criminals because it could require global cooperation. With the advancement of various technologies, criminals can easily hide their identity physically or virtually through the Internet, which sometimes becomes very difficult to locate.
Different forms of Cyber Crimes:
To hack: It is a form of crime in which criminals access personal or confidential information stored in the database of systems belonging to any individual or organization from a remote location. The actual owner may not know that someone else is accessing their confidential information. Criminals mainly use special software for such activity.
copyright infringement: It usually happens when someone posts articles or content that is owned by other people. Some other forms of illegal activity that fall under copyright infringement are downloading pirated music, movies, games, and software.
Cyber bullying: It is a form of online bullying in which the prey or the target is tortured by a series of online messages, emails.
Identity fraud: It is one of the main forms of cybercrime and the people most affected are people who use the Internet as a means of conducting cash transactions and other banking services.
The criminal attempts to acquire sensitive information such as username, password, and credit card details in order to illegally withdraw money or purchase products online.
Malware: It is also known as Malware which is basically a computer code and once it is executed successfully; You can give partial or full control to your computer and any sensitive information can be easily accessed by criminals or they can damage your data.
Child abuse: This is also one of the major forms of cybercrime where criminals coerce minors through chat or emails for any adult or pornographic act.
Cybercrime preventive measures:
It is a phenomenal task to tackle cybercrime. However, I would like to highlight a few tips for my friends that they should always follow.
Secure password: Always use one altered ID/password for multiple accounts you own, and never make a mistake by physically writing it down on a piece of paper. You should always change your password regularly and make sure that your device is fully protected and secured.
Use social networking sites with caution: Be sensible when posting anything on social networking sites. Once content is live on the internet, it stays there forever!
Protect your personally identifiable information: Be careful when disclosing personal information such as name, address, phone number, or financial information over the Internet. Always prefer a secure website for online transactions.
Avoid being scammed: Think several times before clicking on any link that asks for personal information. Check the source and never reply to such scam emails.
Call the right person for help: Never panic! In case you get scammed or come across illegal content online or suspect any fraudulent activity like commercial spam. Notify your local police, or if you need to protect your computer system, try consulting a certified computer professional.