Types Of Cybercrimes And How Can We Protect Ourselves From Them

Types of cybercrimes and how can we protect ourselves from them

What is cybercrime? Cybercrime is the crime that involves computer and a network. The computer may have used in the commission of cybercrime. Cybercrime may threaten the person, organization or a nation’s security and financial health.

We all know that the internet is not the safest place for us. In the real world there are some good people who help you and use your cybersecurity knowledge for helping others and then there are some people who use their digital skills just to harm your security and start black mailing you and only create fear and mess. Cybercriminals are publicly known as hackers.  It is a digital crime.

In this blog you will see five types of cybercrimes and ways to protect yourselves from them.

1- Cyberstalking:

Cyberstalking can be defined as online stalking. It means first someone starts to stalk the person and then starts harassing that person, group or company through internet. Cyber stalkers may use email, instant messages, phone calls, and other communication sources to connect with you. Sometimes a cyber stalker is the person who was once closed to you and now you really don’t know about them.

How To Deal With Cyber stalkers:

i) Keeping a low profile is the most important thing you can do, like always avoid providing personal details on social media like your address and phone numbers. Always connect to those on social whom you can trust, if you are sharing your personal photos on social media always be attentive and conscious while adding people on social media.

ii) Updating Your Software is another option to protect yourself from cyber stalker so always keep an eye on the latest updates of your OS.

iii) Avoid disclosing your personal details in anyway like when you fill out a questionnaire or coupons details etc. because you don’t know what is waiting for you.

2- Online Scam:

Online scam is another type of fraud. It offers you fake services to make fool of you. These types of cybercrime activities lead to credit card theft, capturing your log in detail or fake identity etc. Examples of online scams are charity fraud, gambling fraud, fake services providers etc.

How To Deal With Online Scams:

i) Always check the URL of the website where you are going to buy something, the public recommendations and reviews.

ii) Always know who are the real providers.

iii) Always protect your device from antivirus software and firewalls.

3- Identity Theft:

Identity theft is one of the worst cybercrimes. In this scenario a person is using identity of another person without his or her permission. First, they start with stealing your name then your driving license, your account details and many more things just to commit fraud or use services on behalf of you.

 How To Deal With Identity Theft:

i) Don’t share your personal details to anyone even if someone asks for it.

ii) Always review your credit card bills and bank account statements if you think that something is unusual contact to your bank and stop all the transactions.

iii) Always keep your personal information in a safest place.

4- Illegal Content:

The definition of illegal content can vary from country to country, this includes all the content that are prohibited in the international law. It may include child abuse, sexual material, copyrighted materials such as music, videos, books etc.

How To Deal With Illegal Content:

i) Report the page or channel where you see these types of contents.

ii) Use a filter or other tools to block these contents and use safe search settings in your browser.

iii) If you are the victim of this type of cybercrime then seek professional help through counselling or support services.

5- Social Engineering:

Social engineering is another type of cybercrime, it involves direct calls to victims from the criminals to take all the information from them by saying that they are from some service Centers etc. they gain all the confidence of the victim and the victim starts telling them about all his information without any hesitation, and when they get all his information then they start selling that information or use against that particular individual and start blackmailing.    

How To Deal With Social Engineering:

i) Think before you click on any websites that may want your personal information.

ii) Don’t download any files you don’t know.

iii) Don’t believe on fake calls that may tell you that you won something big they all are fake they just try to take your personal details to use it against you.

These were some types of cybercrimes. I hope this blog will help you understand cybercrimes and how you can prevent yourselves from them.

Be alert be safe!