How Bad Is A Cybercrime?
There is a great chance you have heard stories in the news about cybercrimes. The truth is that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in all the methods they use.
This phenomenon has intensified the risks of cyberattacks, and this includes threats to individuals with mental disorders.
The psychological or emotional impacts after the losses associated with cybercrimes are serious and may lead to PTSD, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety.
These mental problems can further be exacerbated by a lot of psychological losses associated with employment and finances. Unless you get help from one of the best luxury rehab centers, the invasion of your privacy and loss of finances and data may translate into grief.
It is also important to enlighten yourself and know the best practices you can use to thwart cybersecurity threats.
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Types of Cybercrimes
Cybercrimes are basically crimes that in some way use computers to commit a crime or extort money from cybersecurity attack victims. Some of the most common forms of cybercrimes are:
1. Viruses
Computer viruses like those humans get since they spread when certain conditions are just right. Once they are triggered, they spread viruses to other computers and may either delete or alter data, in addition to changing the way they work.
2. Identity Theft
Cybercrimes happen when criminals gain access to the user’s personal details to access private information and steal funds or take part in health insurance/tax fraud.
They might as well open an internet or phone account under your name and use it to plan criminal activities or claim government benefits.
Mostly, they achieve this by looking for your passwords sending a phishing email, retrieving personal details, or hacking.
3. Intellectual Property Infringement
This differs from the sale of replicas or counterfeit goods, patent infringement, and content piracy. Patent infringement is a product that exactly copy the mechanism as well as the functionality of products that utility patents protect.
Replica and counterfeit goods are products created to look the same as existing products. But while counterfeit products are brands, replica goods aren’t.
On the other hand, piracy is basically an unauthorized spreading, copying, and reproduction of all the copyrighted materials.
4. Cyberstalking
This type of cybercrime encompasses online harassment, where users are subjected to many online emails and messages.
Technically, cyber-stalkers use search engines, websites, and social media to intimidate users as well as instill fear. Most cyber-stalkers know their victims and tend to make them feel concerned or afraid for their safety.
Cybercrime Statistics
A certain report from Cybersecurity Ventures and Cybercrime magazine released this year has very startling statistics. For instance:
- Organized cybercrime organizations have joined forces, and the likelihood of prosecution and detection is projected to be as low as 0.06% in the United States.
- Cybercrimes are undercounted since they have not been reported. That is because of fear of reputational damage, embarrassment, and the notion that law enforcers won’t be able to help.
- Digital ad frauds are increasing tremendously. According to statistics, the ad sector losses about $50 million every day because of ad fraud.
Countries That Are High-Risk for Cybersecurity Threats
Most of these countries either provide the least protection against any form of cybercrimes or have weak legislation when it comes to cybercrimes, thereby carrying out transactions that involve personal details.
For instance, Myanmar is the first and worst country for internet safety, with about 2.22 Global Cyber-Safety Index. It scores poorly, particularly in terms of legislation.
Cambodia comes second, earning a Cyber-Safety Score of about 2.68. Marginally, it performs better compared to Myanmar.
Honduras is the third and the last country with a Cyber-Safety Score of 3.12. But Honduras performs twice better than Cambodia and Myanmar.
Stopping Cybercriminals
Thieves and cybercrooks might be difficult to stop or catch, making solutions to cybercrimes elusive. For a specific instance of cyberfrauds, people tend to depend on commercial cybersecurity organizations, national security departments, and police to deal with the bad guys.
It is somehow difficult for computer users to go against cybercrooks, and a perfect way to deal with them is to choose and use the best cybersecurity practices.
What Are the Best Cybersecurity Practices?
Now that you know how bad cybersecurity threats can be, it is now important to figure out the best practices you can use to deal with those threats.
This includes keeping the operating system and software updated. This ascertains that you benefit a lot from security patches in order to protect your computer systems.
You will also need to use anti-virus software programs as well as keep them updated. Using comprehensive internet solutions, such as Kaspersky Total Security, is a perfect way to keep the entire system safe from cybersecurity threats.
Anti-virus will as well enable you to detect, scan, and get rid of threats before they become an issue. Basically, this helps to keep your data and computer safe from cybercrimes.
The Takeaway!
Cybercrime poses a great threat to financial security as well as safety. It might feel like there will be no escaping, and it is a serious issue, but taking the right steps and practices will go a long way.