Avoiding Cybercrime
Cybercrime poses a serious threat to Internet users, but can be avoided through the use of certain strategies and precautions. It is a broadly used term to describe criminal activities that perpetrate fraud and other offenses against companies and consumers, committed on computers and online. The impact of cyerbercrime can be examined in part by demonstrating the irreversible effects incurred on victims. This will show why it is better to make the effort to take measures to be wary of such actions as “phising” from occurring, with suggestions on how to guard against it. This can be further highlighted with a specific explanation on how educational institutions can have a positive role in combating these crimes. It has been reported that Internet usage has grown dramatically within the time frame of just a few years, and this subsequently indicates a rise in cybercrime as well (Aeilts).
It is important to note the financial damage that is caused by cybercrime. “The FBI estimates that the average loss for a technology-oriented crime is nearly $500,000, and, further, the added cost to the consumer is $100 to $150 per computer sale,” (Aeilts). Settings such as businesses, households and even government agencies that are sufficiently shielded from cybercrime, all benefit and add to the growth of the national economy. Therefore, this threat hinders technological advancement and reduces economic growth (Aeilts). Once an online crime has taken place, there is a minimal chance that the case can be solved, since these assailants are quite innovative and are difficult to track down (Koch). This is why it is important to take action towards protecting oneself online, before any damage can be done.
A common online crime is the fraud tactic known as phishing. It accounts for up to $367 million in monetary debits for last year alone (Bertolucci). Phishers send out large amounts of artificial emails, under the pretense that it comes from an...