Many criminals take advantage of online spaces and new technology for profit, to cause harm or even just for the fun of it.
For that reason it’s incredibly important to be aware of the dangers that lurk when you’re online. We’re going to talk about some of the biggest issues related to cybercrime and how to try and prevent them so it’s less likely to occur.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that can lock your files and make them inaccessible. It can enter your system through emails, when you allow it to do so when clicking on an attachment from an unknown sender.
The criminal behind the attack may leave a message asking for money to remove ransomware. However, even if a payment is made, there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to regain access.
How do I prevent it?
- Make backups to a cloud – Many services and platforms offer cloud storage, it is good practice to use this for any important files you could have need of in the future.
- Update your devices regularly – We know updating things frequently can be annoying, but it is important to make sure your device has the latest updates as many include patches to keep your device secure.
- Be careful what you download – Downloading apps from sites is risky, you should only be downloading from official stores such as the App Store and Google Play. You can also encounter the same risks from streaming shows and movies from illegitimate sites.
- Have an anti-virus set up – A lot of anti-virus software will also ask to update regularly and much like your device you should let it. If you don’t have a subscription for one you should make sure that if you have a built-in software it is up to date as well (such as Microsoft Defender for Windows).
Account Compromise
This happens when someone else has somehow managed to access your accounts without your knowledge. If your account is compromised this can lead to more problems like being locked out of your account, changes in your security settings and the criminal might even access more of your accounts if you left personal information or passwords lying around.
Some criminals accessing your account can be sneaky, if you suspect something you should look for a trail such as emails or messages you haven’t sent.
How do I prevent it?
- Hide and strengthen your passwords. Don’t leave your passwords lying around somewhere other people could access them, this goes for both online and in-person!
If you’re unsure how strong and secure your passwords are you can always check them online. When doing so we always recommend checking your passwords at a safe source such as the website here.
We also recommend using a secure password manager, this helps you use and remember different passwords for your online accounts which provides even more security. You can find out more about password managers here.
You should also take a look at our guide on how to make a strong password to make it harder for others to access your accounts.
- Review your privacy settings. Young people are always at risk social media hacking, this can be due to weak passwords but also because their social media account is open to view by anyone, including hackers. They will use information from their targets social media pages to work out their password. This can then often lead to accounts being used to commit crimes such as ticket fraud or scamming contacts to get money over text (known as smishing).
I think my account is compromised, what do I do?
If your account has been hacked and you have been locked out don’t panic, the National Cyber Security Centre have an easy to follow step-by-step guide to help you recover your account.
Phishing
Phishing is a type of scam criminals use to try to gain access to your personal information, such as usernames, passwords or bank details. A phishing scam can be sent via email, text or a scammer could call you over the phone.
Here are three things to look out for if you’re suspicious of something that was sent to you is a scam.
- Authority – Does it seem like they are imitating someone you normally trust like the bank?
- Urgency – Do they set a deadline? Are they trying to rush you to take action so that you can’t think clearly?
- Emotion – The message might try to make you feel fearful, hopeful, curious. An example of this is they may threaten to close you bank account.
How do I prevent it?
- Protect your account with a strong password – Take a look at our quick guide to review your passwords.
- Use 2-factor-authentication (2FA) – Many apps now offer 2-factor-authentication as a security measure, this makes it a lot harder for criminals to access your accounts.
- Check for compromised accounts – Have I Been Pwned lets you check if your email has been part of a data breach.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a UK government organisation that has the power to investigate and take down scam email addresses and websites. Reporting a scam is free and only takes a minute.
You can report cybercrime to Police Scotland by phoning 101 or in an emergency that could potentially endanger people, 999.