Cybercrime
Cybercrime refers to a group of crimes that take place online such as banking frauds, stealing of services etc. Cyber attacks are gaining momentum as the world is becoming more and more dependent on new technologies like smart phones, home appliances, computers, cars, etc. The problem is that many of these devices are connected to the Internet which makes it easy for hackers to attack them. The NCA is working to improve the UK’s resilience and law enforcement response to this rapidly growing threat.
A common way to commit a cyber crime is to infect the device with malware, which could cause damage or steal information. For example, the WannaCry ransomware attack in May 2017 took control of many devices around the world. Another example is a cryptojacking attack which involves using the victim’s computer to mine cryptocurrency without their knowledge. Cybercriminals also use malware to stop the service of a website or a company by preventing users from accessing its services, a crime known as a denial-of-service attack.
There are also politically motivated cyber attacks that can be used to harm the reputation of a government or organization by leaking sensitive information, embarrassing emails or private documents. These attacks can also be used to target the infrastructure of a country, like a power grid or a transportation system.
Individuals can protect themselves against cyber crimes by implementing the best security settings and implementations, such as strong passwords and authentication methods. They can also avoid visiting unknown websites and not opening any attachments from suspicious senders.