The network of cybercrime is everywhere. A small mistake can let cybercriminals share your personal information who can misuse your information to commit various types of cybercrimes. To make our money safe in our bank accounts, it becomes important to recognize cybercrime and know about security tips or how to prevent cybercrime. Before knowing how to prevent cybercrime, we should be aware of cybercrime and cybercriminals.
Cybercrime is a crime that is done by using or targeting a computer or any network device to commit online fraud. The person who is involved in cybercrime is called a cybercriminal. Cybercriminals can hack your laptop or mobile from anywhere with the help of a minor mistake which you may not realize when you are permitting the cybercriminal to commit fraud with you.
Now, let us discuss how to prevent cybercrime or essential preventive measures of cybercrime.
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Preventive measures of cybercrime
You will be surprised to know that every 40 seconds a company gets caught in ransomware cybercrime. Shocking, isn’t it? Let’s know about how to prevent cybercrimes by taking some small steps. However, if you want high-security protection from cybercrime, you should consult with professionals.
Use of strong passwords
Never use the same ID and the same password for every account or even for social media accounts. We usually forget our passwords and due to this reason, we use the same password. Passwords should not be normal. People usually use their phone numbers or date of birth as their password which is easy to hack. Some password ideas can prevent cybercrime.
- Never use the same password for every website.
- Do not use or date of birth or phone number as your password. It is easy to guess
- Never write your password on the paper.
- Password must be complicated by combining letters, special characters and numbers.
- Keep changing your passwords regularly.
- Never use your private email or another account if you think the website you using is in doubt.
Keep your software and application up to date.
Your software and applications must be up to date. Cybercriminals use known exploits or processes to hack software or applications. The update changes the pattern of the software or application which needs another process for hacking. The software companies always give updates for the software and application which fix the bugs and make the protection strong. It makes it the cybercriminals to hack the software or application. Keeping your software or application up to date ensures that you are using the latest security protection for your computer or mobile.
Make your computer secure.
A firewall in the computer is the first step of cyber defence in the computer. A firewall blocks unknown websites and also stops many types of hacking and viruses.
The use of anti-virus in the computer allows the user to scan, detect and remove malicious threats from the computer before they become a problem to the computer or slow down the computer. Many good anti-viruses are used to secure your computer like Avast, McAfee and Norton etc.
It should be noted that whenever you use any kind of anti-virus keep its updated version for taking the best protection.
Block spyware attacks
Spyware is malware that is installed on the computer without your knowledge. It helps cybercriminals to hack your computer or steal your files. The user can install anti-spyware software to get rid of spyware attacks.
Secure use of wireless networks
Wi-Fi networks are a dangerous threat to security if they are not secured. We usually connect our phones or laptops with free public Wi-Fi or hotspots. Cybercriminals hack such free Wi-Fi and whenever you make a financial transaction while using these wireless networks, they can steal your details. So always avoid financial transactions on public wireless networks. The use of a VPN, when you are using a free Wi-Fi network is a good idea to save your personal information.
What is Cyber Crime and its Types?
Secure use of social media
Set your social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram Twitter etc. to private mode. So that other people cannot check your personal information like your date of birth etc. Social engineering cybercriminals use your personal information to trap you. Never post your personal information on social media. For example, if you are posting your pet’s name on social media, you might expose your common security question.
There are cases where the person who posted his live location got kidnapped. So always be careful while posting such types of information on social media.
Secure use of the mobile application
Never download the application from an untrusted website. Always use a trusted website or Play Store to download anything on your mobile. These untrusted websites may have viruses that can corrupt your mobile or can add malware to your mobile.
Protect your online identity.
Avoid filling in your personal information on untrusty websites. Your personal information like name address, email and phone number can be used by cybercriminals to make a fake account with the help of your personal information. Cybercriminals may use these accounts for cyberstalking and they will make you trouble.
Avoid Email Phishing
You can make yourself safe from email phishing by taking these precautions;
- Never reply to an email that asks you to reply with your data.
- Always verify the source of the email and messages before providing your personal information.
- Do not click on the links which are offering you some money or pretending that you have won some money.
- Be careful while making E-contracts.
Contact with true sources
If you got an email from the company which is asking for your details. You can make the call on the official numbers of the company to confirm whether the email is true or fake. Cybercriminals usually use the names of renowned companies to trap the user.
Knowledge about the internet
Knowledge about the internet is as important as the importance of education in our lives. Teach your children about the types of cybercrimes so that they can talk with you whenever they feel such crimes as cyberstalking, online defamation bullying etc.
Keep eyes on kids
Cybercriminals usually target children for cybercrime as they are easy targets. Make sure your children are not giving your personal information to the unknown. This information could be anything like your company details, your bank account etc.
Go offline when you do not need internet.
If you are always making your computer connected to the internet, it increases the threat to your computer. Make sure you shut down or off the internet when you do not need to use the internet.
Lock your computer
Make sure your computer is password-protected. Shut down your computer after you finish the work. It will ensure that no one can use your laptop without your free consent and is unable to add viruses to your laptop.
Do not click on doubtful links and attachments.
If you feel any doubt about the links or attachments which are from unknown sources, then leave them or delete them from your computer or mobile. Never act immediately on such links or attachments.
The attachments of links could be providing you with the free use of paid software etc. It tries to make the person click on these links. By clicking these links, a file will be sent to your computer or mobile. Cybercriminals use this technique to send Botnet files to your computer.
Use of a trusted website
Google prefer HTTPS over HTTP. A website with HTTPS is more secure than HTTP. Try to use HTTPS websites whenever you use websites to give your information.
Keep an eyes on the Bank statement.
There are various types of bank accounts where a person can save money. But sometimes, cybercriminals use your personal information to use your hard-earned money. So, always keep an eye on your bank statement. You can report your bank if you see any unauthorized transaction which is not done by you. Many bank accounts provide online bank statements. Current accounts and savings accounts are the most targeted accounts for cybercrime.
Take necessary steps if you become a victim of cybercrime.
If you come to know that you have been hacked or become the victim of cybercrime, then you need to launch the FIR at the police station and some cases, the FBI and cyber security. Various laws on data protection give the right to the victim to take action against cybercrime. Your report can help other persons to save their personal information in the future. You can take another step like:
- Freeze your bank account and credit card
- Change mobile internet banking passwords
- Can collect the oral and documentary evidence which are necessary for your report
- Inform your contacts about the cybercrime that you have been hacked.
Conclusion
In this article on how to prevent cybercrime, we discussed many safety tips for cybercrime we can use to make our mobile and computer safe from cybercrimes. Cybercriminals are increasing their methods to commit online crimes. We should keep our eyes open while using social media and the internet. Our minor mistakes can make our bank accounts empty.
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