Cyber Crime – the What, Who and How
- BLOGS
- Jun 30, 2020
- 2 min read
Blog by Saddhana.
You might have heard about this phrase – Cyber Crime – right? But do you actually know what it is? Or who does it? Continue reading to know more.
Firstly, what is it?
Cyber Crime refers to any and all illegal activities carried out using technology. Cybercriminals — who range from rogue individuals to organised crime groups to state-sponsored factions — use techniques and all kinds of malware to pursue their nefarious plans. Now, you shouldn’t confuse Cyber Crime with Cyber Terrorism. Basically, Terrorism is political whereas Crime is personal.
Who is at risk?
Cybercriminals usually target individuals, businesses, and governments. The impacts of cybercrime can be devastating due to the high risk of data loss and financial impact.
1. For individuals:
Cybercrime can have a big impact on individuals. You might find yourself dealing with suspicious charges on your credit card as a result of identity theft, a ransomware attack demanding hundreds or thousands in blackmail to release your files or expensive fees in data.
2. For businesses & governments:
Businesses as well as organisations and governments can also suffer from sensitive data loss, huge financial burdens, and brand damage.
How to recognise if you’ve been a victim?
While it can sometimes be hard to recognise if you’ve been the victim of a cybercrime, some crimes do leave clear signs:
Malware infection: Your machine might start running slowly and sending you various error messages.
Phishing or pharming attack: You’ll find suspicious charges on your credit card or other compromised accounts.
Keylogger: You may see strange icons, or your messages might start adding duplicate text.
Botnet: If your computer becomes involved in a botnet, it may be hard to recognise at all.
Cryptojacking: You’ll see increased electric bills.
So dear readers, I hope you are now aware of the real danger of Cyber Crime… Stay sharp, stay safe and stay tuned for more on Cyber Crime.
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