How To Protect From Cybercrime?

by SMCIB on Wednesday, 28 August 2024

Cybercrime is similar to a cunning criminal lurking behind a computer screen, waiting for the right opportunity to seize your stuff. In the digital environment, it is an invisible enemy.

Have you ever had an odd email requesting personal information from you or seen an unexplained credit card charge?

These are only a few indicators that there may be cybercrime around. Fortunately, you can safeguard yourself against these online threats with a little knowledge.

Let me explain how Lily's typical day ended up being a nightmare. Lily was a bank employee. One day, she was thrilled to learn that her favourite online store was having a sale. She browsed her favourite websites, selecting everything from stylish shoes to warm sweaters. She had no idea, though, that her day was going to take a drastic turn. Her bank began to notify her that her credit card was being used without authorisation!

Have you ever experienced something similar?

Hopefully, you haven’t! But, in case you ever have, then this blog is for everyone who doesn’t know how to tackle such situations. There are very simple steps you can do right now to secure your online activities.

Ready to learn how to protect your online environment and ward off fraudsters? Keep Reading!

What Is Cybercrime?

In the modern world, where the internet touches practically every aspect of our existence, cybercrime has grown to be a very serious threat to people, companies, and organisations. Cybercrime is essentially the use of computers, networks, or the internet for illicit purposes. This could refer to anything from identity theft and data breaches to more complex crimes like financial fraud and ransomware assaults.

Let's now concentrate on India. The nation is particularly vulnerable to these risks because of its quickly developing digital ecosystem and rising internet usage. The hazards of cybercrime are increasing as more and more individuals use social media, e-commerce sites, and online banking.

Cybercriminals are equipped with a variety of strategies to take advantage of weaknesses. Phishing emails, for instance, have the ability to trick people into divulging personal information, and malware can penetrate machines to steal important data. An additional danger is ransomware, which locks up your files until you pay a ransom. These offences can have serious repercussions, including major financial losses, psychological suffering, and invasions of privacy.

It is critical that individuals and businesses adopt robust cybersecurity measures as cyber-attacks continue to change and become more sophisticated. We'll take you step-by-step through this tutorial to protect yourself from cybercrime in India. There are techniques available to improve your internet security and safeguard your money and personal data. These steps will help you navigate the digital world more confidently and safely, whether you are a business manager or a personal user.

Types Of CyberCrimes

Cybercrimes encompass a variety of illicit activities that impact our digital lives. Let’s delve into some of the most prevalent forms -

Unauthorised Access And Hacking:
First off, breaking into a computer system or network without the owner or administrator's consent is known as unauthorised access. Hacking, on the other hand, is a specific kind of unauthorised access that has its own unique style. The illicit entry into these systems and networks is actually referred to as hacking. Hackers have a vast array of tools at their disposal, ranging from installing malicious programs to taking advantage of software flaws.

Now the question arises, “For what reason do they do it”?

Their motivations could range from the desire for financial gain through the theft of sensitive data, such as bank account & credit card details, to a personal delight from wreaking havoc. Government Websites are prone to such activities, as the material on government websites is so valuable.

For instance,
In Lily’s case, the hacker was trying to get bank details and credentials to loot money from her card. Here, the main aim of the hacker was to get funds illicitly from another person’s account.
Web Hijacking:
Cybercriminals taking over a website without the owner's permission is known as web hijacking, and it is a serious offence. The genuine owner of the website may lose control over it and its contents as a result of an unlawful takeover. Once taken over, the website could be used for malicious purposes including phishing scams and malware distribution. This puts the website users in danger.
Cyber Stalking:
Cyberstalking is a form of repeated, targeted harassment conducted through internet services. Unlike traditional stalking, which might involve physical following or property damage, cyberstalking relies on digital tools to torment or intimidate the victim. This could take the form of following the victim across the internet, sending threatening emails, or spreading false information about them.

For instance,
Lily’s friend Sia was a YouTube influencer. She was a known public figure, and she did many collabs. She went through a traumatic experience when a person cyberstalked her. The person would send inappropriate messages, eventually leading her to file a complaint against the ID at the cyber cell.
Virus Attacks:
Malicious programs that penetrate and harm software are known as virus attacks. These viruses have the ability to seriously disrupt systems by replicating themselves and infecting additional machines. They can do serious harm by changing or erasing important data. Worms stand out among these viruses in particular. Worms, as opposed to conventional viruses, have the ability to propagate around networks on their own, using up precious resources and becoming more disruptive. Trojans, sometimes known as Trojan Horses, are a more sneaky kind. They pose as trustworthy programs, but once installed, they carry out destructive functions. Trojans frequently operate on a client-server architecture, which further complicates the danger picture by allowing the attacker to obtain unauthorised access through the compromised client.
Software Piracy:
Software piracy includes both unlawful software distribution and duplication. This covers actions such as unauthorised copying and software counterfeiting. But it goes further than that!
In addition to trademark infringement and intellectual property theft, software piracy can also involve copyright infringement. Cybersquatters may register domain names that are similar to well-known trademarks, which adds still another level of complication. Their goal? To exploit the traffic meant for these brands and turn it into profit.
Phishing
Phishing is a kind of cybercrime in which fraudulent emails or other communications pose as reputable companies. The intention is to fool people into disclosing private information. Frequently, these bogus emails lead victims to phoney websites intended to gather personal data, including passwords and bank account information. Then, financial fraud or identity theft may be committed using this stolen data.
Online Gambling
Sometimes, online gambling sites, especially ones with international headquarters, hide something more than just betting chances. These online forums could be used as fronts for illicit operations like money laundering. These websites frequently engage in dishonest behaviour, manipulating transactions to hide illegal money activity.

For instance,
After seeing an advertisement, Lily’s brother Farhan chose to try his luck at a brand-new online casino. The website appeared trustworthy. But he also saw that the website was requesting more personal data and that his earnings were being held back. Farhan did some investigation and found that this casino was connected to dubious financial dealings. He instantly removed his account in order to avoid being involved in any illicit activity.
Email Spoofing:
Email spoofing is a clever tactic where emails are crafted to look as if they come from a trusted source, even though they originate from a completely different address. This deceitful practice is often used to trick recipients into revealing personal or financial information.

But why do they need this information?

They use it to commit fraud or to steal your identity!
Digital Forgery:
When counterfeit papers, such as banknotes, stamps, and diplomas, are created using computers, printers, and scanners, it's referred to as digital forgery. Not only does this kind of cybercrime damage important papers' integrity, but it also has major financial and legal repercussions.
Breach Of Confidentiality And Privacy
Unauthorised access to or disclosure of personal data is a privacy violation. On the other hand, confidentiality breaches occur when sensitive data of an organisation is disclosed without authorisation. Significant monetary losses, legal repercussions, and serious reputational harm are all possible outcomes of these kinds of breaches.
E-commerce And Investment Frauds
Investment and e-commerce frauds involve fraudulent tactics used in online trades and transactions. This can include selling counterfeit items on internet marketplaces or fabricating claims in order to attract investors. Promises of large returns or expensive goods that never arrive are frequently used to entice victims.