Have you, or someone you know, been a victim of a cybercrime? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), roughly 23 million people fell victim to identity theft in 2018, totaling $15.1 billion in financial losses, and the numbers keep growing. CapFed® is here to provide a few tips to help you recognize and prevent cybercrimes from happening to you.
Recognizing Cybercrime
As we use the internet more, we want better security. That's why the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) created The STOP.THINK.CONNECT.™ initiative. This campaign aims to help Americans stay safe and secure while using the internet by raising public awareness nationwide.
According to CISA, there are three common cybercrimes:
- Identity theft: Identity theft is when someone illegally gains or uses your personal information to purchase products and services or obtains credit in your name. If you receive a bill for something you didn’t purchase or see withdrawals from your account that you didn’t make, you may be a victim of identity theft.
- Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks are legitimate-looking e-mails that appear to be from a trusted individual or organization, such as a financial institution or business, that contain malicious links or attachments. Cybercriminals are hoping you click on the link or attachment so they can collect your personal information or infect your machine with viruses.
- Imposter scams: Imposter scams can be emails or calls pretending to be someone you know or a government agency. They ask for money, fees, or personal information. Be cautious and verify before giving any information.
How to Stay Safe
- Apply vendor-provided patches to your applications and devices in a timely manner. Make sure your computer has the newest security software. Also, ensure that your mobile devices are always using the latest operating system.
- If you come across suspicious emails with attachments or links, particularly if you don’t know the source, delete it.
- Always opt for strong authentication or passwords, especially for accounts that contain sensitive information like your bank or financial information.
To learn more about what CISA is doing and how to protect yourself, visit their website.