Cyber Crime Growth

Cyber Crime - A Growth Industry

With cyber crime on the rise, it is becoming increasingly easy for criminals to communicate and collaborate online. In particular, the use of Telegram by younger people trying to get into the criminal world has been on the rise in recent years. According to data from the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), cybercrime is increasing in scale, sophistication and impact, with an estimated annual cost of more than $600 billion globally. This article looks into the dangers of cyber crime and offers advice on how to protect oneself from its threats. It examines the different types of cyber crime, such as phishing and stealer logs, and offers insight into how cyber crime is becoming a growing industry for younger people. We will also provide useful resources, such as the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), to help protect you from cyber crime.

Criminals increasingly using online platforms such as Telegram to communicate and collaborate. According to data from the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), cybercrime is increasing in scale, sophistication and impact, with an estimated annual cost of more than $600 billion globally. This has a significant impact on individuals, businesses and governments alike, with criminals exploiting weaknesses in our digital infrastructure to gain access to sensitive data, financial information and personal details.

There are many different types of cyber crime, with phishing and stealer logs being two of the most common. Phishing is the practice of sending emails or other messages that appear to come from a trusted source, usually with the aim of stealing personal or financial information. Stealer logs are pieces of malicious software that can be used to collect information such as passwords and credit card details. Both of these activities are often used by criminals to commit identity theft and financial fraud. The growth of cyber crime has also been driven by the increasing availability and affordability of technology, making it easier for criminals to set up and operate their own networks.

In some cases, criminals are targeting younger people, who are more likely to use technology without understanding the risks associated with it. As a result, younger people are increasingly becoming victims of cyber crime, with many falling prey to phishing campaigns, malicious software and other forms of cyber crime. In addition to the financial losses associated with cyber crime, it also has a range of other impacts, such as reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and disruption to normal business operations.

 As a result, it is important for businesses to take steps to protect themselves from cyber crime. This includes using secure passwords, ensuring that staff are aware of the risks associated with technology, and investing in cyber security solutions such as anti-virus software and firewalls. The European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) provides information and advice on the prevention of cyber crime, as well as guidance on how to respond should an incident occur.

 The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides guidance on cyber security, as well as a range of resources to help organisations protect themselves from cyber crime. It is also important to be aware of the risks associated with using technology, and to stay up to date with the latest security threats. By understanding the dangers of cyber crime and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

Organisations should also consider the use of tools such as the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which provide information and advice on the prevention of cyber crime and guidance on how to respond should an incident occur. By understanding the dangers of cyber crime and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

As an individual you can protect yourself by:

How to prevent myself from getting hacked

1. Using strong unique passwords on each site you use
2. Keeping your operating system and software up to date. 
3. Using two-factor authentication for online accounts (Check out YubiKeys for Hardware Authentication)
4. Being careful when clicking on links and attachments in emails. .
5. Avoiding using public Wi-Fi networks. (If you do use a VPN such as MullVad)
6. Installing antivirus software on all devices
7. Backing up important data regularly.
8. Being aware of the latest cyber security threats and trends. (For example parents being targetted on WhatsApp by scammers pretending to be a relative asking for money)

As a business you can protect yourself by:

How to prevent my business from getting hacked

1. Implementing robust protocols and standards enforced across the network. 
2. Educating employees on cyber security best practices, such as not clicking on suspicious links or attachments, and not giving out personal or business information.
3.  Requiring two-factor authentication for all accounts, especially those with access to sensitive data.
4. 4. Maintaining regular backups of all data so that, in the event of a breach, the data can be restored quickly. 
5. Working with an experienced IT security team to ensure that systems are regularly monitored for potential threats. 
6.  Having a clear incident response plan in place in the event of a breach. 
7.  Limiting access to sensitive data, such as financial records, to only those who need it.
8.  Being aware of phishing and social engineering attacks, and verifying requests for information or money before sending any.
9.  Limiting access to company networks and systems to only those who need it. 
10. Implementing regular system and software updates to ensure that all systems are running the latest security patches.

My WordPress Site has been hacked

WordPress sites are one of the most popular and widely used sites for creating and managing content. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most vulnerable sites to cyber-attacks. Common ways WordPress sites get hacked include brute-force attacks, malicious scripts, SQL injections, and cross-site scripting. Brute-force attacks involve an attacker trying as many passwords as possible until they gain access to your site. Malicious scripts are scripts that are inserted into your site by an attacker that can either steal data or allow the attacker to take control. SQL injections are when an attacker can gain access to a database by entering malicious code into a form field. Cross-site scripting is when an attacker injects malicious code into a web page that can be used to steal data or launch other attacks. It is important to take the necessary precautions to protect your WordPress site from these types of attacks. One of the most important things you can do is to make sure you have regular backups of your site. This way, if your site does get hacked, you can restore it to a previous version. 20i is an excellent choice for WordPress as it offers daily backups and automatic malware detection. If you need help restoring your WordPress site, ExposeCyberCrime can delete all malware and have your site running again, just contact us via the "Report a Cyber Crime" form.