Cybercrime is a chilling and imminent threat worldwide.
In 2016, the Norton Report showed that 8.8 million South Africans fell victim to cybercrime – from phishing to identity theft, privacy invasion, fraud, forgery and hacking. With an increase in cybercrime, both individuals and companies should safeguard themselves against these relentless attacks.
According to Kyle Condon, managing director of D&K Management Consultants, a leading investigation and risk consultancy, cybercrime includes any illegal or criminal act perpetrated through the Internet and its vast networks.
“This includes things such as downloading illegal music files, to stealing money from bank accounts, identity theft, harassment etc. But it is not just crimes for personal or financial gain, it also includes the spreading of malicious viruses and leaking sensitive information,” said Condon.
He confirmed that South Africans often fall victim to phishing and pharming attacks, which are committed to gain access to one’s identity.
He said that both methods are designed to extract personal information from victims, such as identity numbers, account details and other sensitive information.
“This is normally done by the creation of an official- and bona fide-looking website, perhaps selling some or other product. Often usernames, passwords and phone numbers are required. All ending up in the criminal’s hands,” Condon said.
He believes that people fall victim to these crimes because these sites or emails appear legitimate. He also said that a large majority of the victims are the elderly and vulnerable, as they are usually not aware of the latest criminal trends and are not as tech-savvy as the younger generations.
Often, cybercriminals take advantage of holidays or special occasions to gain access to their victims’ information.
“During the holiday seasons, we see a spurt in Internet crime because users become more active. Fake websites offer irresistible holiday deals, accommodation rates or specials. Facebook users start to share travel plans and destinations. This all plays into criminals’ hands,” warned Condon.
“Valentine’s Day is around the corner and the buying of gifts over the Internet is another popular way of getting victims to part with both their personal information and their money.”
It may seem that danger lurks in every corner of the Internet, however, there are ways to combat cybercrime.
Condon provided his top tips for protecting yourself and your identity.
“I always advise our clients to change passwords regularly. This minimises the chances of your passwords being hacked. Never store your passwords, usernames and other personal information on mobile devices. Once they get into the wrong hands you are at real risk. Spend money on good and recognised anti-virus software. Don’t ignore the importance of having well-run firewalls. These defences can save you from many of the cybercrime viruses out there,” confirmed Condon.
He also advised that people use encryption for all sensitive data and protect their identity at all costs.
“Consider your actions very carefully before sharing credit card information, identity numbers and other personal information,” advised Condon
He added that the digital age obliges citizens to become smarter on social media.
“Ensure your Facebook, Twitter, and other social accounts are set on ‘private’. Be careful what information you post. You never know who is watching or stalking. It’s also important to be wary of emails that are Gmail based. All legitimate companies should have professional email addresses. Not ones that are simply created and hosted online,” Condon advised.
He concluded that, despite our best efforts, some people may still become victims of cybercrime. He believes that it is essential to report these crimes so that investigations can be instigated, and the criminals are brought to justice.
Cybercrimes can be reported to a number of agencies, such as Private Investigator & Fraud Investigations, Crime Line, and Scambuster.
For more information, contact Kyle Condon on saint@intrigue.co.za, follow him on Twitter @investigatorsZA or visit www.investigators.co.za
