The UK saw a significant rise in Cyber crime in the past year. Cybercrime, also known as computer crime, uses a computer or device to commit illegal activity. Such as fraud, trafficking, stealing identities, violating the privacy, or stealing someone’s personal details.
The UK saw a significant rise in cybercrime in the past year. Police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded more than 6,000 cases of Covid-related fraud and cybercrime during the pandemic. Data from Interpol revealed that ransomware incidents have increased by more than a third, with phishing and fraud claims increasing by 59%.
Working remotely has been the norm for many businesses, it has been an integral part of keeping people safe during the pandemic. Although working remotely is the safest option to tame Coronavirus, it has opened up opportunities for cybercriminals looking to gain access to networks through more vulnerable IT systems.
With different types of cybercrime currently increasing, it’s important to know what they mean and how to prevent them from happening. Below we’re going to give you some more information on the types of cybercrime.
- Malware Attacks
A malware attack is where a computer system or network is infected with a computer virus or other type of malware. A computer compromised by malware could be used by cybercriminals for several purposes, these include stealing confidential data, using the computer to carry out other criminal acts, or causing damage to data. - Phishing
A phishing campaign is when spam emails, or other forms of communication, are sent. The intention is to trick recipients into doing something that undermines their security. Phishing campaign messages may contain infected attachments or links to malicious sites. Or they may ask the receiver to respond with confidential information. - Distributed Dos Attacks
Distributed DoS attacks (DDoS) are a type of cybercrime attack that cybercriminals use to bring down a system or network. Cybercriminals who are carrying out cyberextortion may use the threat of a DDoS attack to demand money.
How can you protect yourself against cybercrime?
- Keep software and operating systems updated
- Use anti-virus software
- Use strong passwords
- Never open attachments in spam emails
- Do NOT click on links in spam emails or untrusted websites
- Do NOT give out personal information, unless secure
- Contact companies directly about suspicious requests
- Be mindful of which website URLs you visit
Edmondson's IT Services are dedicated to providing businesses with proactive anti-virus solutions. Having a secure operating system is very important for every business. Contact our team to see how we can help you protect your system and devices.
