Increasing Instances of Cybercrime Breed New Fears with Consumers
The word cybercrime breeds fear in everyone these days. You can’t pick up a newspaper without reading about international computer hacking rings or the latest credit card scam. So what’s the average person to do when the Internet has become such a valuable everyday tool? On one hand, it’s so easy to do all your banking online, and the simplicity of entering credit card information and having items delivered directly to your front door can’t be beat. On the other hand, the data that you are putting online (credit card numbers, social security information, address, etc.) is never truly secure from cybercriminals.
Most people think that when they apply for loans or fill out online applications with reputable companies, their information is safe from breaches that could result in cybercrime. Think again. Everyday, more and more companies are experiencing technologically savvy attacks that may not be noticed for months. And, once a hacker has your information, it is almost impossible to know who they are and what they are going to do with the data they have stolen. In many instances, the actual hackers never intend to use your information, instead they sell it to criminal networks that are far beyond local jurisdictions.
Consumers are Making it Easier to Commit Cybercrimes
New technologies have given us an explosion of ways to communicate and gain access to the online world. You no longer need your PC to get online. Smart phones, gaming devices, and a whole slew of new technologies allow us to be connected from almost any location. Therein lies the problem. In a recent report commissioned by the IDC, it was estimated that there are over 10 billion non-PC devices currently in the marketplace, with an estimated 20 billion expected by 2014. Industry insiders call these new “entry points” to the Internet havens for cybercrime, as these “doors” to the Internet are mostly unsecure and can lead to new security breaches.
One particular area getting a lot of attention as a new method to commit cybercrime is e-commerce, where credit card details and other personal data are secretly stolen from unsecure websites and wifi networks. In addition, criminals are, more and more, using counterfeit shopping sites (phishing) to lure unsuspecting customers in to non-PC platforms that don’t protect the transmission of their private information (name, address, credit card, etc.).
Many people feel completely helpless when it comes to protecting themselves from cybercrime. But, there are more ways to protect your online experience than you might think (check out our Internet Security Checklist for some great tips). Going online from any device can be a safe and secure experience if you have the right tools.