According to recent statistics, 2021 losses to fraud and cybercrime in the UK totalled £2.4 billion. This is despite the establishment of the National Cyber Force (NCF). This was launched by the UK Government in 2020 to tackle the growing problem of cybercrime.
Other worrying figures show that the top three causes of security breaches are:
- 31% – phishing/hacking/malware;
- 24% – a mistake by the individual; and
- 17% – external theft
Cybercrimes such as hacking, phishing, and malware incidents are responsible for the majority of today’s security breaches. In one way or another, each of them is the result of some human failure or error. That’s what makes raising awareness of the problem through information and education campaigns about cybercrime such a fundamental weapon in our defences against security breaches.
Here are some of the ways you can help shore up those defences:
1. Use secure passwords
Every email address and every online account you use needs a password. It is alarming how little thought so many people continue to give to the passwords they use – often repeated across multiple accounts.
In a posting on the 31st of January 2022, for example, the website Comparitech revealed that such simple and obvious combinations as “123456” and “password” are still in common use. 59% of those asked in a recent poll by Google said they used their name or birth date as a password.
The key to choosing passwords, says Digital Social Care, is that they should be easy to remember but difficult to guess – three random words are likely to produce a stronger password than any reference to your personal information.
Even better, a password manager will store all your unique passwords securely without your having to remember each one of them, advises the government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
2. Update your software and apps
In guidance published on the 29th of September 2021, legal services software company Litera reminded clients why it is essential to maintain software and apps that are thoroughly up to date.
In a relatively short space of time, a lot of software and apps become out of date – and as they do so, they become more and more vulnerable to security issues, the programmes are increasingly unstable, and their compatibility with other software also diminishes.
3. 2SV
Even if you haven’t heard of 2SV (two-step verification), you’ve almost certainly used it – at some stage, it’s employed by practically every online banking operation in the UK.
Also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) you not only have to use a password but also a unique PIN number that is sent by text or email (or maybe a biometric, such as your fingerprint).
As the University of Boston’s website explains, 2FA or 2SV “immediately neutralises” the weakness of a compromised password.
4. Back-up
If a password is compromised, you are likely to lose access to all the data stored behind it. To avoid that loss, you need the reassurance and security of backed-up data – including important documents and images.
Back-up storage can be made either by external hard drives, data storage companies, or cloud-based systems. Each has its pros and cons. In its edition of the 17th of February 2022, PC magazine compared the advantages and disadvantages of some of those solutions.
5. Be alert to phishing scams
Phishing scams are designed to encourage you to click on a bad or rogue link so that you are directed to a dodgy website. What’s more, phishing attempts and scams have been on the rise as home and remote working has spread more widely, warns cyber security firm Mimecast.
So, be alert to the risk of phishing in any email, phone call, or flyer you receive and:
- refuse to open any email from an address or person you don’t know;
- learn to check links before clicking on them – hover over it to see the address;
- be alert to any defect in any email – the address it came from and spelling or grammatical errors in the body of the email; and
- remember that you can still receive emails from well-intentioned friends who have nevertheless themselves been infected.
6.VPNs
The use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is growing. In an article on the 27th of January 2022, Cybercrew revealed that 44% of UK internet users have now logged onto a VPN at some stage.
When you use a VPN, data transfers between your device and the VPN server are encrypted. Naturally, that makes the connection more secure and more difficult for cybercriminals to penetrate your defences.
Use a VPN whenever you can, therefore, and certainly if you are tempted to use a public WiFi connection.
7. Monitor and review
Monitor and review every one of your online accounts on a regular basis. Be on the alert for suspicious changes or activity. Change passwords or delete the account if anything untoward is detected.
Summary
Cybercrime is responsible for untold losses suffered by its online victims. Still worse, the incidence of cybercrime is on the increase – more recently fuelled by the widespread increase of working from home and other remote working lifestyles.
Vigilance, awareness, and education against the many and varied ways of the cybercriminal are paramount. Make sure you play your part in that battle.
Further reading: How to be cyber secure: A complete beginner’s guide to cyber security and keeping yourself safe in a digital age
Leave a Reply