One of the fastest spreading security threats across the globe is the emergence of ransomware. Ransomware is a malicious computer application whose main purpose is to lock/encrypt people data in the computer that the application exists. Such malicious applications are usually transmitted through web pop-ups and email and the proponents of the ransomware usually threaten to delete the data if their specified ransom is not met.

This was the case with the global WannCry ransomware attack that affected more than 200,000 Windows computer around the globe. The attack spanned more than 150 countries including Britain, China, Japan, Germany, and many others, affecting individuals, governmental departments, hospitals, academic institutions, and commercial enterprises. The attack did not discriminate nor select their target as they attacked any computer that was vulnerable, highlighting how dangerous these attacks can be. Moreover, it also highlights how difficult it is for businesses and other entities to protect themselves from such attacks.

Marty P. Kamden, a marketing executive at NordVPN, a private network provider reckoned that the vulnerability to attacks was not a preserve of individuals by stating that big companies and governments, organizations which have a great deal to lose have failed to secure their IT systems and more importantly, train their employees on matters of necessary security practices. He further asserted that cautious use of the internet could have averted the attack by preventing malware infections.

Update Your Operating System – Just like it is with many other ransomware attacks, this particular attack called WannaCry focused on computers running Windows Operating System. Thus computers running non-Windows Oss and Macs were not affected. The WannaCry is thought to have first infected computers through email downloads. Thereafter, the malicious code was spread through Windows file-sharing system to other computers in the same network.

However, the most astonishing thing about this particular attack is that Microsoft, the maker of Windows had released a patch to negate the vulnerability that WannaCry took advantage of some eight weeks prior to the attacks, as Veracoe’s chief technology officer – Chris Wysopal – points out. He further reckons that had people updated their Operating Systems, the attacks could not have happened.

In many regards, it is the consumer’s complacency that made this attack as pervasive as it was. With this in mind, it is in our best interest to update our Operating Systems as soon as the updates are available. It is even better when you configure your computer to automatically install the latest software updates available.

Make Use Of High-Quality Antivirus Software – Aside from carrying our updates are required, it is in the best interest of consumers to install a high-quality antivirus software such as Norton , Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Malwarebytes. Mr. Kamden reckons that at least 30 percent of the popular antivirus programs could have detected the malware presence and taken neutralizing steps.

However, it is not enough to install antivirus software. You should ensure that its virus definitions are always up-to-date. This means that you should regularly update your antivirus or simply configure it for automatic updates. You also need to be wary of public wi fi such as those in internet cafe’s or coffee shops as these are an easy target for cyber criminals and especially if you are travelling and unaware of your surrounds so it pays to avoid these kinds of networks for additional safety .As this article on public wi fi safety reveals dont just assume you are safe and it will be ok as this is the very thing a would be cyber attacker is praying on in order to steal your money, data or worse your identity.

However, when faced with a ransomware attack, you should desist to pay the ransom. In many cases, the attackers tend to be overwhelmed and thus are not in the position to unlock the encrypted data. Additionally, some security experts reckon that due to the widespread nature of such attacks, the attackers may not retain the valid decryption keys needed. Hence you may pay and still never get your data back.

One of the fastest spreading security threats across the globe is the emergence of ransomware. Ransomware is a malicious computer application whose main purpose is to lock/encrypt people data in the computer that the application exists. Such malicious applications are usually transmitted through web pop-ups and email and the proponents of the ransomware usually threaten to delete the data if their specified ransom is not met.

This was the case with the global WannCry ransomware attack that affected more than 200,000 Windows computer around the globe. The attack spanned more than 150 countries including Britain, China, Japan, Germany, and many others, affecting individuals, governmental departments, hospitals, academic institutions, and commercial enterprises. The attack did not discriminate nor select their target as they attacked any computer that was vulnerable, highlighting how dangerous these attacks can be. Moreover, it also highlights how difficult it is for businesses and other entities to protect themselves from such attacks.

Marty P. Kamden, a marketing executive at NordVPN, a private network provider reckoned that the vulnerability to attacks was not a preserve of individuals by stating that big companies and governments, organizations which have a great deal to lose have failed to secure their IT systems and more importantly, train their employees on matters of necessary security practices. He further asserted that cautious use of the internet could have averted the attack by preventing malware infections.

Update Your Operating System – Just like it is with many other ransomware attacks, this particular attack called WannaCry focused on computers running Windows Operating System. Thus computers running non-Windows Oss and Macs were not affected. The WannaCry is thought to have first infected computers through email downloads. Thereafter, the malicious code was spread through Windows file-sharing system to other computers in the same network.

However, the most astonishing thing about this particular attack is that Microsoft, the maker of Windows had released a patch to negate the vulnerability that WannaCry took advantage of some eight weeks prior to the attacks, as Veracoe’s chief technology officer – Chris Wysopal – points out. He further reckons that had people updated their Operating Systems, the attacks could not have happened.

In many regards, it is the consumer’s complacency that made this attack as pervasive as it was. With this in mind, it is in our best interest to update our Operating Systems as soon as the updates are available. It is even better when you configure your computer to automatically install the latest software updates available.

Make Use Of High-Quality Antivirus Software – Aside from carrying our updates are required, it is in the best interest of consumers to install a high-quality antivirus software such as Norton , Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Malwarebytes. Mr. Kamden reckons that at least 30 percent of the popular antivirus programs could have detected the malware presence and taken neutralizing steps.

However, it is not enough to install antivirus software. You should ensure that its virus definitions are always up-to-date. This means that you should regularly update your antivirus or simply configure it for automatic updates. You also need to be wary of public wi fi such as those in internet cafe’s or coffee shops as these are an easy target for cyber criminals and especially if you are travelling and unaware of your surrounds so it pays to avoid these kinds of networks for additional safety .As this article on public wi fi safety reveals dont just assume you are safe and it will be ok as this is the very thing a would be cyber attacker is praying on in order to steal your money, data or worse your identity.

However, when faced with a ransomware attack, you should desist to pay the ransom. In many cases, the attackers tend to be overwhelmed and thus are not in the position to unlock the encrypted data. Additionally, some security experts reckon that due to the widespread nature of such attacks, the attackers may not retain the valid decryption keys needed. Hence you may pay and still never get your data back.

An attack to commit a Cyber Crime can be called as a Cyber Attack! When it comes to the Internet, you are sure to acquire some malware, if you visit malicious websites without proper protection. At the minimum, you need an antivirus and a firewall. You also need to stay and steer clear of different types of cybercriminals trying to make money at your cost.

Let us have a look at the common types of cybercrime and how to deal with them.

It is important to note that a computer, Internet or computer technology has to be involved, and when the use of any of the following techniques or activities is made to carry out a crime or illegal activity – only then can it be classified as a Cybercrime. The list of course, is not exhaustive – it is only indicative!

Identity theft

Identity theft and fraud is one of the most common types of cybercrime. The term Identity Theft is used, when a person purports to be some other person, with a view to creating a fraud for financial gains. When this is done online on the Internet, its is called Online Identity Theft. The most common source to steal identity information of others, are data breaches affecting government or federal websites. It can be data breaches of private websites too, that contain important information such as – credit card information, address, email ID’s, etc.

Ransomware

This is one of the detestable malware-based attacks. Ransomware enters your computer network and encrypts your files using public-key encryption, and unlike other malware this encryption key remains on the hacker’s server. Attacked users are then asked to pay huge ransoms to receive this private key.

Sourced from: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/types-cybercrime

DISSEMINATION OF OFFENSIVE MATERIALS

Content considered by some to be objectionable exists in abundance in cyberspace. This includes, among much else, sexually explicit materials, racist propaganda, and instructions for the fabrication of incendiary and explosive devices. Telecommunications systems can also be used for harassing, threatening or intrusive communications, from the traditional obscene telephone call to its contemporary manifestation in “cyber-stalking”, in which persistent messages are sent to an unwilling recipient.

One man allegedly stole nude photographs of his former girlfriend and her new boyfriend and posted them on the Internet, along with her name, address and telephone number. The unfortunate couple, residents of Kenosha, Wisconsin, received phone calls and e-mails from strangers as far away as Denmark who said they had seen the photos on the Internet. Investigations also revealed that the suspect was maintaining records about the woman’s movements and compiling information about her family (Spice and Sink 1999).

Sourced from:http://www.crime.hku.hk/cybercrime.htm

How to Protect Your Computer

Below are some key steps to protecting your computer from intrusion:

Keep Your Firewall Turned On: A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to gain access to crash it, delete information, or even steal passwords or other sensitive information. Software firewalls are widely recommended for single computers. The software is prepackaged on some operating systems or can be purchased for individual computers. For multiple networked computers, hardware routers typically provide firewall protection.

Install or Update Your Antivirus Software: Antivirus software is designed to prevent malicious software programs from embedding on your computer. If it detects malicious code, like a virus or a worm, it works to disarm or remove it. Viruses can infect computers without users’ knowledge. Most types of antivirus software can be set up to update automatically.

Install or Update Your Antispyware Technology: Spyware is just what it sounds like—software that is surreptitiously installed on your computer to let others peer into your activities on the computer. Some spyware collects information about you without your consent or produces unwanted pop-up ads on your web browser. Some operating systems offer free spyware protection, and inexpensive software is readily available for download on the Internet or at your local computer store. Be wary of ads on the Internet offering downloadable antispyware—in some cases these products may be fake and may actually contain spyware or other malicious code. It’s like buying groceries—shop where you trust.

Keep Your Operating System Up to Date: Computer operating systems are periodically updated to stay in tune with technology requirements and to fix security holes. Be sure to install the updates to ensure your computer has the latest protection.

Sourced from: https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber