The 21st century has largely been dubbed the digital age. And for good reason. Digital technology has developed rapidly in the past couple of decades. Better computers, smartphones, the widespread of the internet are all developments that came about in the 21st century. However, it has not all been sunshine and rainbows.
The digital age has also precipitated a huge spike in cybercrime. According to statistics laid out by the FBI, there is a hacking happening every 40 seconds. Not to mention, the amount of people who report a cybercrime has reached the tens of millions.
So, while we enjoy the fruits of digital technology, it is also to bear in mind the dangers that come with it. For this reason, in this article, we are going to go over the most common cybercrimes that we should all be aware of.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is probably the most dangerous cybercrime that someone can experience. As you can probably assume, identity theft refers to using somebody else’s information for personal gain. This can include credit card numbers, social security numbers, passports or ID numbers, etc.
It is important to take whatever steps you can to avoid falling victim to identity theft. And if you ever find yourself in this predicament, you should be aware of what you can do to end it. However, while identity theft is on the rise, it is nowhere near as widespread as the following two forms of cybercrime.
Malware Attacks
Malware attacks refer to purposefully and maliciously getting someone to download harmful software to their electronic device. The name comes from the words malicious software. There are different kinds of malware types, though some are more common than others. The ones that are usually talked about are:
- Computer viruses
- Trojan horses
- Spyware
- Ransomware
Phishing
Finally, we get to the most common cybercrime, phishing. Phishing is really quite simple to understand. Attackers trick users into revealing their personal information, either by getting them to install some form of malware, or by getting them to sign up for fake websites. According to an FBI IC3 report published in 2020, phishing is the most common type of cybercrime. If you want to learn more about how phishing works, IDG TECHtalk have published a very informative video on the subject.
How to Stay Safe
There are plenty of ways to avoid falling victim to these cybercrimes. One of the most important things you can do is to ensure that your personal data remains private. You can do this by removing your personal data from Google search, opting out from data brokers, and deleting (or optimizing) your social media accounts. While these activities cannot directly protect you from hackers or malicious cyber-attacks, they do play a role in decreasing the risk.
Other than that, a strong and reliable VPN would be a good option. And if you would prefer a free route, then simply come up with strong passwords, avoid any unsecured websites, and try to browse the web in Incognito mode. Taking these steps should ensure your safety and privacy.
