Data Theft
The most common cybercrimes are data theft, fraud, and computer viruses. Data theft is the theft of digital information stored on computers, servers, and electronic devices (Deora & Chudasama, 2021). Stolen data may include bank account information, passwords from online services, passports, driver’s licenses, social security numbers, and medical records. Having gained access to personal information, unauthorized users can delete and change it without the owner’s permission.
A common cause of data theft is the desire of attackers to sell this information or use it to steal other personal data. If enough information gets into the hands of attackers, they can gain access to protected accounts and otherwise use this data to their advantage. The best way to protect oneself against data theft is using multi-factor authentication, which requires at least two separate, distinct forms of identification to access data (Deora & Chudasama, 2021). The first factor is a password; the second is usually a code sent to a phone number or biometric data such as fingerprints.
Computer Virus
Computer viruses are programs that, independently, without the computer owner’s knowledge, can create their copies and distribute them in various ways. Such programs can destroy the information stored on computer disks. Moreover, computer viruses can multiply and embed their copies into other programs, infecting existing files (Deora & Chudasama, 2021). The best way to fight computer viruses is to install antivirus programs that can delete viruses and infected files.
Fraud
Fraud is understood as theft of someone else’s property or acquisition of the right to someone else’s property by other interference in the functioning of means of storage, processing, or transmission of computer information and telecommunication networks. Thieves use fraudulent practices to steal money from electronic cards or accounts or to get goods without payment.
Fishing
Fishing is a form of online fraud in which the attacker aims to acquire the user’s payment and credit card information (Deora & Chudasama, 2021). This type of fraud presupposes stealing through copies of well-known companies’ sites where internet users leave their data. The best way to fight internet fraud is to be careful when providing one’s card number or password at sites or internet shops. To fight fishing, it is essential to ensure that a person uses the correct web address before entering personal data.
Reference
Deora, R. S., & Chudasama, D. (2021). Brief study of cybercrime on an internet. Journal of Communication Engineering & Systems, 11(1), 1-6. Web.