The Internet has taken over the lives of almost everyone that you know. Internet usage is now being considered a human right and, as such, is a right that should not be impeded or violated. This however opens people up to a whole new world of crimes and violations, which are all enacted or initiated via online connections.
There are many online threats that people need to be wary of. One such threat is identity theft. In the past, people would steal your personal information and use it to their advantage by going through your garbage and your mail. Now, they can do it without setting foot anywhere near your home and without digging through your garbage cans.
Identity thieves can now steal your information and use it for themselves with the help of what is called phishing. This often starts with an email that is sent to you which orders you to click a link because you won something, or some other similar ploy to ensure that you do click through. Once you get to the site in question, you will then be asked to fill out forms in order to claim your winnings. This is how they get your information, which they can use in whatever way they want.
Phishing and identity theft is not the only online threat you need to be careful of. There are a few others that you also need to watch out for, and here are some of them:
Ransomware – as the name suggests, this is when your computer, social media accounts, email, and website are held hostage and you are asked to pay a ransom in order tohave these returned to you. Ransomware starts in a similar fashion as phishing, with an email that looks legit, but when clicked, takes over your computer and everything on it.
Webcam hacks – you may have heard about how Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg covers his computer’s camera and mic with tape, and the reason why. Yes, webcam hacking is real, and it can happen without you knowing about it. The same routine is often used by hackers to access someone’s computer, which is through email, and when they have access, they can operate anything on it without you knowing. They can operate your webcam and spy on you at any time without the red camera light going on. This can lead to blackmailingand using information gained during business meetings to make money, among other things.
Fake websites – another thing you need to keep an eye out for are fake websites that ask you for your personal information. There have been reports that bank websites are being cloned and people are being duped into sharing not only their log-in and password via these fake pages, but also their security information. In order to avoid being tricked into inadvertently giving away your account details, make sure that you check the URL of the site you are accessing. Sometimes, this is being done via an official looking email from an email address that mimics your bank’s email address, which then asks you to click on a link to update your security information and login details.
If despite being careful, you have found yourself a victim of these scammers and hackers, you might want to consider hiring a private investigator to find out who is behind these acts. This can help you prosecute whoever stole from you, find who is holding your website or computer hostage, and get online criminals arrested for the harm that they have done to you.
