Question.
What are various types of Cybercrimes? How can you protect yourself against Cybercrimes?
( UPPSC, UP PCS Mains General Studies-III/GS-3 2021)
Answer.
Cybercrimes are illegal activities that are done by using digital technology and the internet. Money theft from bank accounts is an example of Cybercrime.
The following are important types of cybercrime -
- Phishing
- Identity's theft
- Malware attacks
- Online scams
- Data's breaches
Phishing; Phishing is common cybercrime that involves tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, CVV, OTP, etc by posing as a trustworthy entity via phone calls, emails, or fraudulent websites.
Identity theft; Identity theft refers to the theft of personal information such as Bank account number, Aadhar number, mobile number, etc with the intention for financial gain or fraudulent purposes.
Malware attacks; Malware attacks refer to the infiltration of a computer system by viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware to infiltrate computer systems, steal data, or disrupt operations.
Online scams; Cybercrime also happens through online auction fraud, lottery scams, or fake job offers, to deceive individuals, and extract money or personal information from them.
Data breaches; Unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive information stored by companies or organizations, leading to potential misuse or data breaches.
The following are some common practices that can be used to protect ourselves against cybercrimes-
Strong Passwords; Always use strong and unique passwords comprises of alpha-numeric, capital, small letter, and special characters.
Use Antivirus; Sensitive transactions should be done on a system that has antivirus. Regular updation of antivirus should be done on a timely basis.
Enable two-step authentications; Enable two steps authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links; Be cautious with email attachments and links, avoid clicking on suspicious links or avoid downloading files from unknown sources.
Regular backup; important files and data should be backup regularly to pen drives, external hard drives, or cloud storage service.
Use an updated operating system ( OS) and software; the System should have the latest operating system and enhanced security features to avoid any loopholes for cybercrimes.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks; Public Wi-Fi networks should be avoided for online bank transactions as they are vulnerable to cyber crimes.
Cyber awareness; Educate ourselves about common cyber threats and stay informed about the latest security practices to enhance overall awareness.
In conclusion, areas of cybercrimes are expanding day by day, we can prevent them by taking a proactive and cautious approach to online activities. We could minimize the risk of cyber crimes by increasing awareness and digital literacy.
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