Information highway and telecommunications is making the world a smaller place. Time and distance are no longer factors that affect efficiency. As the internet makes messaging, downloads and social networking indispensable, there has been a steady growth of an unpleasant side to it.
It is the world of cyber crime. Be it scams promising big money or phishing emails soliciting personal information, internet crime has become a real threat to deal with. Illegal transfer of funds from bank accounts and stealing precious and private data has become a business of its own. According to a recent research, 100 cybercrimes are committed every second globally!
We are all too familiar with security protocols, password encryption and anti-virus software.
Symantec, a security software manufacturer, warns that cyber criminal attacks are happening at an alarming rate. It attributes this increase, of over 70% from the previous year, to the easy availability of malware tool kits that is programmed to take over weaknesses in browsers or operating systems.
There are also email chains that divert users to visit websites of inappropriate content. Requests of help in unsolicited emails and promises of large amounts of money lure the innocent who end up trapped in the vicious circle. Such emails and attacks have now become so sophisticated that it has become difficult to tell them apart from the real thing. Cybercriminals have now turned to social networking sites to deceive people.
With readymade malware available easily, it does not require a person to be an expert at computer software to enter the world of cyber crime. Easy user instructions help the criminal mind wreak havoc on the internet. With stolen passwords and personal information including bank account details, cyber criminals are gaining access to fortunes.
Symantec has warned that this trend is on an upsurge and only the vigilant can survive. Survival tips include reporting phishing scams, changing passwords regularly and not opening mails from unknown senders. With simple but safe measures, surfing the information highway can be a pleasure that it has promised to be.
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