Throughout human history, theft has been a constant threat. In the past, it was a physical act, often involving the theft of unattended belongings or deception through rigged games and counterfeit goods. However, the digital age has significantly altered the dynamics of theft. Today, our lives are deeply intertwined with the internet, and our personal information is stored in digital databases. This shift has opened a new frontier for thieves, who can now steal from victims without being in the same physical space.
When we think of “online cyber scams,” we often envision a tech-savvy individual shrouded in a hood, hunched over a computer in a dimly lit room. However, the reality is quite different. As more of our lives transition online, opportunities for scammers to deceive new and unsuspecting victims have multiplied. These scammers don’t necessarily need to be sophisticated software experts. Instead, they often rely on impersonation and manipulation to gain your trust and access your personal information, requiring only time and persistence.
According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. This staggering figure underscores the growing threat of online theft and the urgent need for effective online protection.
Given these threats, it’s crucial to equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect our digital lives. In the following sections, we will explore defensive and offensive measures you can take to safeguard yourself online.
Defensive Measures: Refrain from Acting
- Never Give Out Personal Information
- Avoid Unsolicited Advice and Establish Trust
- Verify Identities in Financial or Personal Information-Related Situations
- Trusting Instincts and Avoiding Suspicious Links
Never Give Out Personal Information
One of the most fundamental rules of online safety is to never give out personal information unless absolutely necessary. This includes sensitive data such as your social security number, bank account details, and credit card numbers. Cybercriminals often attempt to trick individuals into revealing this information through phishing scams, where they impersonate a trusted entity like a bank or a government agency.
It’s important to remember that legitimate organizations will never ask for sensitive information through email or text message. If you receive such a request, it’s likely a scam. Always verify the source before providing any personal information. If in doubt, contact the organization directly using a known and trusted method, not the contact details provided in the suspicious message.
Avoid Unsolicited Advice and Establish Trust
The internet is full of unsolicited advice. While some of this advice may be well-intentioned, it can also be a tool for deception. Cybercriminals often use fake websites to mimic legitimate businesses such as banks, shipping companies, or social media platforms. Their goal is to manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise their personal information.
For instance, you might receive an email notifying you of an undeliverable Amazon package. However, if you haven’t ordered anything from Amazon, this email is likely fraudulent. The deceptive email aims to prompt you to click on a link, which leads to a fake website or connects you to a fraudulent tech support, with the intention of stealing your information or money.
To protect yourself, it’s crucial to establish trust before taking any action based on online advice. This could involve verifying the identity of the person giving the advice, checking their credentials, or seeking a second opinion from a trusted source.
Verify Identities in Financial or Personal Information-Related Situations
In the digital world, verifying identities is more important than ever. Cybercriminals often impersonate trusted entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise their security.
For example, a scammer might send an email pretending to be your bank, asking you to confirm your account details or password. Alternatively, they might call you pretending to be a tech support agent, asking for remote access to your computer to fix a non-existent problem.
To protect yourself, always verify the identity of the person or organization before providing any personal or financial information. This could mean reaching out to the organization directly via a trusted and verified phone number, or cross-checking their email address or URL online to ensure it aligns with the official company address.
Trusting Instincts and Avoiding Suspicious Links
Your instincts can be a powerful tool in protecting yourself online. If something feels off, it probably is. Cybercriminals often use tactics that play on fear, urgency, or greed to trick individuals into falling for their scams.
For example, you might receive an email claiming that your account has been compromised and urging you to click on a link to reset your password. The email might look legitimate, complete with the company’s logo and official language, but the link leads to a fraudulent website designed to steal your login credentials.
If you receive such an email, trust your instincts. Don’t click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website by typing the URL into your browser, and check your account from there.
Offensive Measures: Take Actions to Protect Yourself
- Keeping Software Up-to-Date
- Changing Passwords Periodically, Especially for Email Accounts
- Regularly Checking Email Settings to Log Out from Unknown or Unused Locations
- Avoiding Storing Passwords or Personal Information in Easily Accessible Places Like Phone Notes or Emails
Keeping Software Up-to-Date
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself online is to keep your software up-to-date. This includes your operating system, such as Windows and Apple, your web browser, and any apps or programs you use. Software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the last version was released. By not updating your software, you’re leaving your system open to these vulnerabilities, which cybercriminals can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your system or steal your personal information.
For example, in 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. The attack exploited a vulnerability in older versions of Microsoft Windows. Microsoft had released a patch for the vulnerability two months before the attack, but many users had not updated their systems.
To ensure your software is always up-to-date, enable automatic updates if possible. This way, updates will be installed as soon as they’re available, without requiring any action on your part.
Changing Passwords Periodically, Especially for Email Accounts
Another important step in protecting yourself online is to change your passwords periodically. This is especially important for your email account, which often acts as a portal to your other online accounts. If a hacker manages to infiltrate your email, they can use the “forgot password” feature on various websites to reset your passwords, thereby gaining access to your accounts.
When choosing a password, make sure it’s strong and unique. Use a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using obvious choices like “password” or “123456”, and don’t use personal information like your name or birthdate.
A 2012 report by DataGenetics highlighted the vulnerability of pin numbers, revealing that an alarming “26.83% of all passwords could be guessed by attempting just 20 combinations!”
This point is worth reiterating: never use personal information like your name or birthdate as your password. If your debit card is stolen, a thief can easily search your name online and find your birthdate, which they may then attempt to use as your pin.
Regularly Checking Email Settings to Log Out from Unknown or Unused Locations
Most email providers and social media sites, such as Gmail, Outlook, facebook, and Instagram, offer a feature that allows you to see where your account is currently logged in. This can be a useful tool for spotting unauthorized access to your account. If you see a location you don’t recognize, it could be a sign that someone else has accessed your account.
If you do spot an unknown location, log out of it immediately and change your password. It’s also a good idea to enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
Avoiding Storing Passwords or Personal Information in Easily Accessible Places Like Phone Notes or Emails
While it might be tempting to store your passwords or other personal information in a note on your phone or in an email to yourself, this can be a risky practice. If a hacker gains access to your phone or email account, they can easily find this information and use it to their advantage.
Consider using a password manager as an alternative. These tools, often built into programs, web browsers, and mobile devices, can generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and store them securely. They also offer the convenience of auto filling in your passwords when you log into your accounts, eliminating the need to remember them all.
If you need to write down your passwords, keep the list in a secure location, like a locked drawer or safe.
Online Safety: Keeping Your Guard Up
The digital age has brought about a new era of theft, where our personal information is the target and the internet is the thieves’ playground. As the cost of cybercrime continues to rise, it’s more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect ourselves online.
This includes refraining from giving out personal information, verifying identities, trusting our instincts, and avoiding suspicious links. On the offensive side, keeping software up-to-date, changing passwords regularly, checking email settings, and avoiding storing passwords in easily accessible places are all crucial measures. By equipping ourselves with the right knowledge and tools, we can navigate the digital world with confidence and security.
Remember, online safety is not a one-time effort, but a continuous process. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe.
