As we move further into 2022, it's important to be aware of the dangers that come with being online. there were almost 500,000 fraud scams and over 300,000 cases of identity theft reported in the first four months of this year alone! That's a lot of people who lost money or had their identities stolen. The UN estimates that by the end of 2022, there will be nearly 5 billion internet users - so you can imagine how much worse things could get. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to protect yourself from cybercrime in this increasingly dangerous world.

What is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime is any crime that takes place online. This can include anything from identity theft and fraud, to hacking and cyberstalking. With so many people now working from home, there are more opportunities for criminals to target individuals or businesses.

Type of Scams Online

Imposter scams

Imposter scams are when someone pretends to be a person or organization you trust in order to get money from your pocket. These criminals have been getting more frequent recently. The best way to protect yourself is by installing security software such as guardio, which alarms users whenever they visit risky websites. Also, never provide personal information like Social Security numbers or credit card numbers to any stranger who contacts you out of the blue.

Another type of imposter scam is when someone pretends to be from the government. They may say they're from the IRS or Social Security Administration and try to trick you into giving them your personal information. The best way to protect yourself against these kinds of scams is to hang up and call the agency they claim to be from using the number on their website. That way, you can confirm that the call is legitimate.

Prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries

You may have seen ads or emails claiming that you've won a prize or lottery. They'll often say you need to pay taxes or fees in order to collect your winnings. But here's the thing: if you didn't enter a contest, you can't win it! So if you're ever contacted about winning a prize, just delete the email or hang up the phone.

Another way scammers try to get your money is by asking for payment upfront for something that's supposed to be free - like government grants or loans. The bottom line is this: if someone asks you to pay for something before you get it, it's probably a scam.

Phishing

Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your personal information by pretending to be a person or organization you trust. They may send you an email that looks like it's from your bank, for example, and ask you to click on a link to update your account information. If you do, you'll be taken to a fake website that's designed to look real and trick you into giving away your login credentials or other sensitive information.

To protect yourself from phishing scams, never click on links in emails - even if they look legitimate. Instead, go directly to the website by typing the URL into your browser. And if you're ever asked for personal information, make sure you're on a secure website before entering it. You can tell if a website is secure if the URL starts with "HTTPS" and there's a lock icon next to it.

Malware and ransomware

Malware is a type of software that's designed to damage your computer or mobile device. Ransomware is a type of malware that locks you out of your device until you pay a ransom - usually in cryptocurrency. These kinds of attacks are becoming more and more common, so it's important to take steps to protect yourself.

How to Prevent Scams?

The best way to protect yourself from cybercrime is to be aware of the dangers and take steps to avoid them.

Here are a few things you can do:

-Never give out personal information - like your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information - to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

-If you're ever contacted about winning a prize, just delete the email or hang up the phone.

-Never click on links in emails - even if they look legitimate. Instead, go directly to the website by typing the URL into your browser.

-Make sure you're on a secure website before entering any personal information. You can tell if a website is secure if the URL starts with "HTTPS" and there's a lock icon next to it.

-Install security software on your computer or mobile device and keep it up to date. This will help protect you from malware and ransomware attacks.

In conclusion,  by being aware of the dangers of cybercrime and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help keep yourself - and your money - safe.