Cybercrime is one of the biggest security threats currently facing everyone globally. That’s why at Eccenscia, we have compiled some tips to help you, your business, and your family stay safe and prevent cybercrime.
Cybercrime and scams are predicted to cost the world USD 7 trillion by the end of 2022, according to Cybercrime Magazine.
Those in charge, the decision makers such as Board members and CEOs, are now, more than ever, interested in cybersecurity due to the increased data breaches and hacks in both Web2 and Web3 ecosystems.
What is Cybercrime?
Simply put, cybercrime is any type of criminal activity that involves the use of technology on the internet.
Anyone can be a cybercriminal, either for malicious intent or curiosity. It does prove that if you do not secure your data using cybersecurity solutions such as Confisense or Uloq, your business or you will be exposed.
In September 2022, a teenager convinced an Uber employee to give away his login credentials. The curious lad used an MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) Fatigue attack where he bombarded the unsuspecting employee with authentication requests on their mobile phone. Once the employee logged in, the teen got complete access to all Uber data. Lucky for Uber, the teenager was only curious and not malicious.
Not every organisation is lucky.
In the Web3 universe, more than $2 billion in digital currency has been stolen in hacks this year. Firm believers in the experimental field of decentralised finance, known as DeFi, are slowly backing out or overly cautious.
In February 2022, $ 321M worth of cryptocurrencies was stolen from Wormhole, one of the most popular bridges that link the Ethereum and Solana blockchains.
In April 2022, attackers were able to exploit the algorithmic stablecoin protocol ‘Beanstalk’ to make off with crypto to the value of $182m at the time.
Crypto investors are quickly pulling out, while others have lost interest, as seen in the decline of crypto gamers on the Axie Infinity NFT game.
In the mainstream world, the Russia-linked cyber gang known as Conti is terrorising organisations and governments worldwide. The infamous group managed to cause significant disruption to financial operations throughout Costa Rica in April 2022. They attacked the Ministry of Finance and managed to cripple Costa Rica’s import/export business. A national emergency was declared, which was a first for a ransomware attack.
There was a second attack in late May 2022, which targeted the Social Security Fund. This has also been attributed to Conti as the Hive ransomware was used, and Conti is linked to its development. This unusual activity from Conti may be intended as a smokescreen while the gang tries to rebrand. Experts speculate that the gang fears the impacts of sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict.
Cybersecurity starts with you — your individual efforts.
Here are 10 ways to help you stay safe online and prevent cybercrime. When it comes to cybersecurity, leave nothing to chance.
1. Lock everything!
Leave nothing unlocked. Though it may be tedious, set it up immediately if your device (laptop, desktop, or mobile phone) or downloaded apps allow for passwords or finger authentication. All it takes for a nefarious individual to access your mobile or PC is for you not to have a password installed. From the 4-digit PIN to the traditional pattern unlock, any security is better than none.
2. Use a password manager
Most of us have forgotten our passwords at one point in time. That’s no excuse to have a ‘one-size fits all password. Every application, website, and device you use should have a password. Moreover, you should change that password regularly, at least every three months. Create strong combinations as instructed by most websites and apps (a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols) so as not to be a victim of cybercrime.
Download password managers such as LastPass, Bitwarden, 1Password, or LogMeOnce to track your passwords across multiple devices.
Password managers keep your files and other data encrypted and protect them from falling into the wrong hands.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on your apps
2FA and MFA provide an extra layer of security for your website or app.
In the case of 2FA:
- Login with a username and password.
- Login credentials confirmed. The second factor of authentication is needed.
- Open the Google Authenticator app on a mobile phone (possession factor), which generates a security code.
- Enter the code on the login page, and access is granted.
On the other hand, MFA:
- Login with a username and password.
- Login credentials confirmed. The second factor of authentication is needed
- Push notification (possession factor) received to confirm the login.
- Redirected to the login page and prompted to use facial recognition (biometric characteristic).
- Facial recognition was verified, and access was granted.
2FAs and MFAs are designed to ensure you’re the only one who can access your account — even if someone else knows your password. MFAs are the better choice as they provide the most layers of security against cyber criminals. However, the strength of an MFA solution depends on how secure its additional authentication methods are.
A great MFA software is Uloq, available on Android (coming soon to iOS). Uloq provides ironclad, undisputable personal identification and authorization. It relies on cryptographic keys, biometric authentication factors, and environmental scanning algorithms to effectively identify a user’s virtual location, which is unique to the user and difficult to replicate. Set it up to remove the ‘man in the middle attacks.
4. Automatically update your software
Don’t ignore that pop-up notification reminding you to update your antivirus or to get one if you don’t already have one. Not having an antivirus on your PC is like covering a hole in a bucket filled with water with a towel.
Get an antivirus like Avira, Avast, Norton, or Kaspersky for your PC, and always update it. Better yet, set it to automatically update when your PC is not in use. Updates help the antivirus pick up any new threats and protect you against them.
Also, check if your Android or iOS device still supports software updates. If it does not, upgrade immediately.
5. Keep an eye on your accounts
Opt-in to receive real-time transaction alerts on your mobile phone for your credit, debit, or online purchases for your bank account, mobile money account, and others. Monitoring in real-time gives you peace of mind and helps you in budgeting. Additionally, review your transaction statements to stay ahead of your finances.
6. Know how scams work
Ignorance is not bliss until you discover you have been a victim of cybercrime. It can happen to anyone, even if you’re not a multi-millionaire. Stay in the loop through thought leaders, and your local cybersecurity enforces. Follow our blog here to get weekly updates on the latest in cybersecurity. And share with your friends and family, so they do not fall victim to scammers and hackers.
7. Improve your BS detector
If you think it’s a scam, it probably is. Scams go above and beyond phishing emails or promises of gold from a wealthy prince. Some scams appear genuine, and even industry veterans are fooled or roped in.
Spear phishing uses personal information collected from social media profiles to fool unsuspecting victims and, unfortunately, can be very convincing. Always do your homework before agreeing to give out your personal information or opening an email/SMS.
Check out YouTube videos where scammers get caught to learn how scammers trick people worldwide to not only learn a thing or two but also get a few laughs in.
8. Use a VPN with your Wi-Fi connection
Whether you’re travelling, using public Wi-Fi, sending or receiving sensitive information, or simply catching a break with some Netflix (and chill), having a VPN is a great and legal way to keep your internet connection safe and secure.
A VPN, or virtual private network, protects your information by masking your device’s IP address. It allows you to browse the internet safely and anonymously by encrypting and ‘relocating’ your information and data through secure servers worldwide.
OUR TOP VPN PICKS ARE Nord VPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access.
However, one downside to using VPNs is that they slow down your internet connection. Nothing’s perfect, though, right?
9. Keep a backup, just in case
It is as simple as saving this article on Google Docs. To not lose files, data or information permanently, make a habit of saving on the cloud or external physical devices and saving on your PC or mobile device.
Don’t forget to encrypt your backup with a secure password for maximum security. A secure backup solution that offers encryption to protect your data is Confisense. Confisense allows you to protect and fully encrypt your files and folders and back up your data to the cloud. A lot of additional features make it one of the best security suites for your personal and work PC.
Get Confisense here.
10. Check if the website URL is safe
‘ASOS’ and ‘AS0S’ may look the same, but look again…
For every website, you visit, check on the URL to see if the website is safe to access. Google Chrome, Mozilla, Brave, and Internet Explorer may sometimes alert you if they suspect the site is unsecure. Double-check by Googling the site name to be secure.
Also, avoid URLs without the prefix ‘https//:’. Variations of ‘http//:’ websites are to be found online, but the former is more secure. Besides, Google’s algorithm views any website without any prefixes mentioned above as insecure and will alert you.
A website with a lock icon next to the address means the URL is safe to visit. A cross icon implies the site is unverified and most likely unsecured.
Parting shot
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Even the most tech-savvy individuals can fall victim to a cybercriminal. Developers on the blockchain, cryptocurrency enthusiasts and crypto investors can attest to this. Scammers are finding new and sophisticated ways to steal information and data.
Nonetheless, follow our 10 tips on how to stay safe online and prevent cybercrime. Your home and office will reduce the chances of a cyber attack by 98%.
View every unfamiliar text, DM, or email with a grain of salt. Taking the extra time to consider your next action could prevent you from becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Our cybersecurity solutions for home and office, PC or mobile, and single connection or a network give you peace of mind without breaking the bank.
Find out how you can protect yourself and your family from cybercriminals here.
