Why adopting good cybersecurity habits is increasingly important
You may already know this, but a reminder shouldn’t hurt: adopting safe habits on the Internet is essential for any Internet user today. After all, information security is a major concern in the modern world, not just for companies or governments, but for the general population, too.
Cybercrime is growing just as fast as technology, and it’s become pretty clear that keeping up with these changes is not such a simple task for everyone. And that's why we're here to help you!
The global scenario of cyberattacks on companies
According to CheckPoint, in 2022, cyberattacks around the world rose by more than 38% compared to the previous year. And it doesn't stop there: from 2022 to 2023, the global average of weekly attacks increased by 7% in the first half of the year alone.
Studies show that there is an attempted cyberattack every 39 seconds, and approximately 71 million people fall victim to cybercrime every year. In 2022 alone, the FBI received more than 800,000 reports of Internet crimes, amounting to more than USD 10 billion in financial losses.
The scenario is equally concerning for corporations. In 2023, IBM identified that the average global cost of a data breach is USD 4.45 million for organizations. In 95% of cases, the cyber incident is caused by human error.
When we stop to think for a moment and realize that practically all our interactions, both personal and professional, take place online, we begin to understand why it's important to learn a little more about cybersecurity. After all, you never know when a cybercriminal will knock on your door.
A few scams you should keep an eye out for
Phishing by email and WhatsApp
Phishing, also known as identity theft, is the most common scam worldwide. Basically, a cybercriminal uses an array of tactics to convince a victim to provide some sensitive information: document numbers, system access credentials, credit card numbers and much more.
Criminals usually send fake messages, asking the recipient to click on a link or download an attachment. In the first scenario, the link redirects you to a fraudulent page where, upon entering their details, all this information is sent directly to the criminals. In the second case, upon downloading the attachment, there is a high probability that a virus will be installed on the user’s device.
These fake messages can arrive via different means online, but you should especially keep an eye on email, which is still the main channel for spreading phishing. Identity theft attempts via WhatsApp are especially common in Brazil. The Latin American nation is a world champion in phishing scams via WhatsApp.
Business Email Compromise
Attacks known as Business Email Compromise, or CEO fraud, are increasing exponentially every year. In 2022 alone, the FBI received almost 22,000 complaints related to this scam, amounting to more than USD 2.7 billion in losses.
So, take extra care when you receive a supposed email from your boss or another director asking you to make an urgent money transfer or provide sensitive data to access a system.
Before taking any action, try to speak directly to the person who sent you the email to confirm that the request is really legitimate.
Hijacking computers
Ransomware, also known as digital hijacking, is one of the cyber scams that most concern people and companies around the world. As the name suggests, in this type of attack, cybercriminals hijack all the documents on a victim’s computer and demand a frightening amount of money to return them.
In general, viruses that hijack computers reach Internet users via phishing, the fake messages mentioned earlier. So, be very careful where you click.
Cybersecurity education remains the best way forward
To circumvent and combat cyber fraud, your best ally, without a doubt, is knowledge!
Cybersecurity education remains a fundamental pillar for both companies and end users to remain safe and protected against cybercriminals. By acquiring knowledge, we can create a culture of protection and digital responsibility in our personal and professional lives.
We can all agree that, faced with a panorama full of threats, it's worth taking a few minutes out of your week to learn more about cybersecurity, right?
