One of the biggest problems within the system of the Internet is cybercrime: criminal activity across computers and networked devices. Most often for financial gain, cybercriminals target individuals on the Internet and use the global scale connectivity to their advantage. While cybercrime is illegal, it is not easily monitored or regulated because of the vast nature of the Internet. The Internet was designed for the purpose of sharing information and can be used by billions of individuals without a controlling power to monitor or stop activities from happening. It is the structure of the Internet that makes it a valuable tool but also what makes cybercrime hard to police.
While cybercriminals often go for larger targets, the average online user is more easily tricked into schemes for money and access to their private accounts. Cyber attacks are intended to trick users into giving personal and private information by seeming like legitimate operations. Some of the most common forms of these scams are Malware, Ransomware, Phishing, Trojans, and Man In the Middle Attacks. As cybercriminals become more innovative and clever it is extremely important for users to educate themselves, stay vigilant, and practice safe online protocols to protect themselves from these online threats.
“Cybercrime is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world” -Titanfile
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Malware | Software designed to cause damage or gain access to your device |
| Ransomware | Malware that requires a ransom to recover |
| Phishing | A scam, usually by e-mail, to trick users into revealing personal information or downloading malware |
| Trojans | A virus, usually downloaded, that will steal your information while running in the background |
| MITM | When someone positions themselves as a middle man and eavesdrops to steal the user's information |
Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly more common and getting more sophisticated. Countries around the world spend billions on cybersecurity and all large companies have hefty cyber security budgets in order to protect their interests. Cybersecurity is the protection of computer software, systems, and accounts. With threats all around the world and hundreds of attacks happening every day, the public is becoming more aware of how dangerous cybercrime can be and how important cybersecurity is.
There are various programs on the market that will provide users with malware protection. The program will work to scan and monitor applications and documents for any insecurities that could be harmful. Beyond using an application to monitor and prevent attacks, users should learn safe online practices that will further ensure their security online.
