In this digitally connected world, ensuring safety online remains crucial. The internet is a vast and complex system that holds a substantial amount of information. It is quite fascinating to think how easier it has become to connect to the internet world. It is just some clicks away, and we might never be able to measure the depths of the internet. The latest technological developments are also making it more straightforward and more accessible to people around the world. However, it is also a double-edged sword and adds threats to cybercriminals that are always lurking on the internet. Cybercrimes are a serious concern around the globe that is picking up the heat again. As 2021 unfolds, cybersecurity has never been more crucial for the safety of internet users and businesses.
As our reliance on the internet increases, cybercrimes on the internet pose a real threat across all sectors. Right now, we can see different Internet of Things that are vulnerable to hackers. Various antivirus programs and software can indeed add a protective layer to your devices. But in today’s world, it is not enough to keep a safe side from hackers. Not only the hackers but the advertisers are also manipulating the internet with click frauds. Click fraud is the process of illegally targeting pay-per-click advertisements to generate revenue and increase rankings. In short, it is challenging to track what links and resources are credible and where they will take you during the clicks. With that said, let’s discuss four activities that can get you in trouble online.
1. Clicking On Email Attachments From Unknown Senders
Unauthorized emails and phishing are still a rising cybercrime trend around the world. Many internet users fall into this trap of hackers and lose their privacy and even money. Clicking on emails from unknown senders is positively forbidden in the internet world. Hackers are continually targeting vulnerable users to get access to their devices and invade privacy. These hackers would target the users with news reports, training courses, and other credible resources to make them look valuable and trusted. However, these attachments would hide an imposter malware that can infect the computer devices and breach confidential information.
The IT managers and cybersecurity professionals establish different measures to keep the safe side from hackers. Moreover, the email service providers also filter the emails from spammers and hackers to protect the users from malicious content. But still, the hackers continuously exploit the users with email attachments that contain malicious code. Professionals recommend business owners train themselves and their employees to avoid clicking on email attachments from unknown senders. Pursuing degrees like an online masters in cybersecurity can allow you to protect your business by establishing security measures on the networks.
Both small and large businesses are prone to fall into the trap of hackers. Small business owners have the perspective of nothing much to steal for their business. They are on the hot list among hackers because of the vulnerabilities in network security. If you are receiving these unauthorized emails with attachments, one thing to do is to put them as spam. This way, you can completely dodge these attachments to download into your system automatically.
2. Clicking Content On Unsafe Site
Another activity that can put you and your business into trouble is clicking content on unsafe sites. There are about 2 billion websites to date, from which 400 million are active and live. Meanwhile, there are a million websites that are not secure or do not have end-to-end encryption protocols. If you ever see a “Not Secure” warning on the browser during a visit to websites, beware that this site might expose your traffic information. These sites may include gambling, free or pirated software, obscene, and many more.
Meanwhile, you can also establish content filters on the network to prevent employees from visiting unsafe websites. However, the problem still runs rampant with hackers launching new and more credible websites to make themselves look credible and trustworthy. Research from the U.S Department of Interior says that the employees spend more than 2000 hours on auction and entertainment sites. These activities reduce the employees’ productivity and put them vulnerable to cybercriminals that could risk their business. The hackers can put malicious content on the websites, which gets downloaded automatically. When downloaded, the malware runs codes that divest users of their personal and confidential information.
3. Filling Out Web Scripts, Forms, And Registrations
The infrastructure of the internet was designed specifically with security measures. This secure infrastructure is essential to allow everyone to access the internet safely. However, with the openness and technological advancement, the default measures are not enough to protect the users online. Internet attacks are becoming more common and mostly target people with little security awareness. Everyone primarily uses the internet to access information, connect with people and share information with others. The real problem undermines whom to trust on the internet.
According to professionals, internet users must avoid filling out web scripts, forms and registering to unauthorized websites. Moreover, the internet users must also look for different signs to identify whether you are on trustable resource or not. Always look for HTTPS rather than HTTP websites that explain that your access to the website is private and encrypted. Moreover, also be on the lookout for the websites that were recently hacked or breached for data. Signing up on these websites means you will be handling your account information to hackers. Professionals also recommend checking whether your data has been breached or not. One of the most straightforward approaches is using the pawned website to check whether your email and passwords are compromised. Enter your email on the website, and it will tell the breaches on websites where you get pawned.
4. Beware Of Clicking Download
How many times you have been confused with a lot of Download buttons on the page. It becomes a dart game where you play with the luck to click on any flashy download button. But does it work? Well, not always. Cybercriminals use social engineering tricks to draw the users into their traps by downloading. It can be an e-book for achieving maximum traffic for websites with top-secret tricks. Or it can be How to speak like Don Draper in just 24 hours video tutorial. Not every website that is offering these types of click bait content is spam or malicious from hackers. However, those websites that redirect you to different ads and pop-ups are the riskiest ones. It is highly advisable to steer clear from the websites you are visiting for the first time and look suspicious.
Final Words
Cybercriminals are always lurking around potentially vulnerable websites to attack users and businesses. They use various tools like malware, viruses, and keyloggers to obtain the emails and passwords against your consent. However, incorporating the security measures and avoiding some activities can indeed protect you from their hazardous plans. Keep updates of the cyber activities on the internet and always think before a click anything on the internet.
Also Read: 4 Ways To Fight Fraud Online
