Cyber crime is on the rise, especially as more individuals take care of everything, from their personal matters to their financial problems and their business operations, on their devices while they’re on the go. Any crime that occurs over the internet is considered a cyber crime. While there are many law enforcement groups that are working hard every day to curb cyber crimes and catch cyber criminals, it’s ultimately up to the individual to protect himself or herself from these crimes.
Taking the right steps to ensure that your information will always be secure while you use the internet is up to you. But first, you need to have a good understanding of what some of the most common types of cyber crimes are. Continue reading to learn more so that you can prevent attacks before they occur.
Theft
A lot of theft occurs online, especially when it comes to artistic works in the form of writing, music, movies, and more. These criminals infringe upon another person’s copyrighted materials by stealing them and claiming them as their own or selling them for profit without permission from the owners of the works. Illegal downloading, especially over file sharing networks, occurs regularly, but law enforcement agencies are working hard at stopping these criminals in their tracks.
Identity Theft
Probably the most devastating type of cyber crime is identity theft. Those who use the World Wide Web for purchases are at a higher risk of having their identity stolen. Criminals who are really good at what they do are able to access an individual’s bank account information, credit and debit card numbers, Social Security information, and more. This leads to financial losses and a ruined reputation for the victim, and the criminal is not always caught.
Hacking
Hackers are able to access someone else’s personal information over the internet, whether it is a business’s website, someone’s social media page, or an email account. No matter what type of account is accessed, though, a lot of damage can be done. Sensitive information can be accessed, for example. The only way to protect yourself from a hacker is to regularly change your passwords and have a strong firewall in place that will prevent outsiders from accessing your computer from a remote location. It is also a great idea to put a password on your wireless network so that no one else can access any of the information that’s sent and received over the network.
Stalking
Cyber stalking is yet another common type of cyber crime. Stalkers will continually harass another online user with threatening messages and emails. Bullies often use this tactic to attack fellow students. Cyber stalking is a serious crime, especially if it evolves into real-world stalking.
Malicious Files and Software
Viruses, malware, etc. are all commonplace on the internet, and they are used to infiltrate another’s computer or network, gain valuable personal information, and even destroy that person’s computer or network. The only way to protect yourself is to visit trusted websites and have an updated antivirus program installed.