It's critical to be aware of the risks associated with using the internet. In the first four months of this year alone, there were over 300,000 reports of identity theft cases and nearly 500,000 fraud scams! That is a sizable number of people that had their identities or money stolen. You can image how much worse things could get given that the UN predicts that there will be approximately 5 billion internet users by the end of 2022. We'll talk about some guidance on how to be safe from cybercrime.
Cybercrime: What Is It?
Any crime committed online is considered a cybercrime. This can range from fraud and identity theft to hacking and online stalking. There are more options for crooks to attack people or businesses given that so many people work from home.
Online imposter scams are one type of scam.
Scams involving imposters occur when someone poses as a person or business that you trust in order to steal money from you. Over the past few months, these crooks have become more prevalent. Installing security software, like guardio, which alerts users anytime they visit unsafe websites, is the greatest method to safeguard oneself. Also, never give out private information to a stranger who contacts you, such as your credit card, debit card number or you identity card information.
When someone poses as a representative of the government, that is an example of an imposter scam. They might pose as representatives of the bank or from government office, or from income tax or aadhar card verification, in an effort to deceive you into providing them with your personal information. The greatest defense against these frauds is to hang up and dial the agency they represent at the number listed on their website. You can verify the legitimacy of the call in this manner.
Prize drawings, contests, and lotteries.
Perhaps you've seen advertisements or emails telling you that you've won a lottery or prize. They frequently claim that in order to receive your winnings, you must pay taxes or other expenses. However, the fact remains that you cannot win a contest if you did not enter it. Therefore, if you ever receive a call or email about receiving a prize, just hang up.
Another method used by con artists is to demand advance payment for services that are meant to be provided for free, such as government grants or loans. The basic line is that anything that requires payment before delivery is certainly a fraud.
Phishing
When someone tries to con you into giving them your personal information by posing as a person or business you trust, this is known as phishing. For instance, they might send you an email that appears to be from your bank and instruct you to click a link to change your account details. If you do, you'll be directed to a phony website that's been made to look authentic in an effort to deceive you into disclosing your login details or other sensitive data.
Never click on links in emails, even if they appear to be legitimate, to safeguard yourself from phishing schemes. Instead, enter the URL into your browser to go directly to the website. Additionally, make sure you are on a secure page before providing any personal information if you are ever prompted to do so. If the URL begins with "HTTPS" and there is a lock icon next to it, the website is secure.
Ransomware and Malware
A sort of software called malware is intended to harm your computer or mobile device. A form of virus known as ransomware prevents you from using your device unless you pay a ransom, which is typically made in bitcoin. It's critical to take precautions to protect oneself as these attacks are growing more frequent.
How Can Scams Be Avoided?
The best defense against cybercrime is to be aware of the risks and take precautions to prevent them.
Here are some options for you:
-Never divulge sensitive information to anyone who contacts you without your consent, including your Aadhar card number, credit card number, or bank account information.
-If you ever receive a call or email about winning a prize, simply hang up.
-Always be wary of links in emails, even if they appear to be trustworthy. Instead, enter the URL into your browser to go directly to the website.
-Always check that a website is secure before entering any personal data. If the URL begins with "HTTPS" and there is a lock icon next to it, the website is secure.
-Install security software and keep it updated on your PC and mobile devices. You will be more secure against malware and ransomware threats as a result.
In conclusion, you can help keep yourself - and your money - secure by being aware of the risks of cybercrime and adopting precautions.