How to Protect Yourself From Cybercrime Attacks

The effects of cybercrime can be devastating. Not only can it lead to financial loss and ruin for the victims involved, but it can seriously impact a person’s mental health. Cybercrime can be defined as any crime involving a computer and a network and can range from theft of finances or sensitive information to industrial spying to spreading malware or viruses.

Anyone can fall prey to online fraudsters and, unfortunately, cybercrime has increased in recent years. However, there are ways that you can protect yourself from falling prey to online criminals.

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Common scams

To protect yourself from online crime, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the common scams that cybercriminals use. There are numerous tactics used by criminals to deceive people but keeping up-to-date about the latest scams will make you more prepared.

Among the most common cyber scams are phishing messages, false retail sites, fake antivirus software, make-money-fast schemes, and catfishing scams. The latter, in particular, has become more prevalent as criminals seek to exploit people who are vulnerable and lonely as a result of covid lockdowns. Always be suspicious of any new online connections and keep your wits about you.

Safe gaming

If you’re an online gamer, make sure the sites you use are trusted in the industry and have a good reputation. Most reputable online gaming sites have safety features in place and high-tech protection software to detect malicious activity. They will also ensure that users’ personal information is kept secure and private.

There are still measures you can take though to further ensure your online safety. Whether you’re visiting a Unibet casino, cannoning through the Fortnite universe or setting up home in The Sims, you want to make sure you protect all your gaming accounts with strong passwords. Oh yes, and be careful about sharing personal information with other users, not everybody has the best of intentions towards their fellow gamers.

Updates

Regularly updating your passwords and PIN numbers will help lower your risk of falling victim to online crime. Make sure you change them at least every six months and avoid using simple or easy-to-guess characters, for example, ‘123’ or numbers from your address.

Also, make sure you keep your computer or mobile device software updated regularly.

Security

Install trusted antivirus software that covers all your devices and make sure you have a firewall on your server. When updating your mobile device, always choose a phone that has robust security features. It should contain a file encryption feature in order to protect it from suspicious apps.

Secure your home network connection by using a strong, complex Wi-Fi password and limit the number of devices that can connect to your server, allowing only ones you trust. If you have a specific device for work, don’t let others use it, even if they’re trusted family members. Other people, especially the less tech-savvy, can accidentally click on malicious links and potentially infect your How to Protect Yourself From Cybercrime Attacksdevice or steal sensitive information.

Conclusion

Cybercrime is on the rise, especially in the wake of the pandemic. However, there are ways you can reduce the chance of it affecting you. Being vigilant to the latest scams while keeping a suspicious head and avoiding sharing personal information online, is definitely a good start. You should also strive to keep passwords and security software updated and always use reputable websites for financial transactions or gaming.

Taking into account all of that advice should help prevent you from becoming a victim of cybercrime.