SAPS warn residents against cyber crime

According to a Newcastle SAPS, the term ‘Cyber Crime’ is actually misleading as it refers to a method and not a crime.

Cyber crime is the use of a computer or the internet to commit any crime. The crimes committed and investigated by the SAPS entails theft, fraud, extortion, assault and a host of statutory offences.

The biggest threat with regard to cyber crime is communication in this medium, be it through social media, e-mail or even voice, performed anonymously.

If you speak to a person you have never met before, you will never be able to guess their age, background or intention through online communication.

Therefore, many people become victim of exploitation or extortion. It is a well-known fact that constant hacking attacks are launched against platforms like Facebook, Instagram and e-mail clients.

This leads to accounts being ‘hacked’ and can lead to individuals or companies loss of private data.

Here are some tips to keep you safe during your interaction with the online world:

• Use strong passwords on all your accounts – short/weak passwords can be by-passed very easily rendering your system open. This is also be true on you cellphone.
• Use a trusted and updated anti-virus program on your computer as well as your phone.
• Do not visit questionable websites like pornography sites, this is known sites to upload viruses, backdoors and other exploitation onto computers. This is especially true for those who value their data.
• Heed the warnings issued by banks. Remember, banks will never ask for your identity number, banking detail, pin codes etc.
• Do not shop online if the supplier is not known or trusted. Never do an online transaction in a non-secure environment.
• If you correspond with somebody on social media, make sure you check the person’s credentials or claims. Children especially, should never correspond online with people they do not know or whose identity have not been verified. If the person does not identify him/herself properly, block them immediately!
• Companies or institutions who transfer large amounts of money between banks, should always verify the recipient’s banking detail by phone after receiving such detail by e-mail.

“We have a lot of incidents where an e-mail is diverted and false banking details placed thereon before delivered to clients. Estate agents, attorneys, banks, farmers, big companies, all fall victim to this which amounts to financial losses.”

• Remember the internet is full of scams. Do not spend your hard earned money on ‘the bargain of a lifetime’ before you verified the existence of the items you want to buy.

“If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Big companies like Coca-Cola, Omo, Surf etc. do not give away money in contests for which you did not enter and nobody who holds a legitimate lottery or competition will ask you to carry the cost of the bank transfers! It is a scam!”

• If you fall prey to exploitation or extortion, seek help. Children should report this to their parents, teacher, counsellor or a trusted adult. Do not keep quiet. Extortion on children, especially for things like nude pictures, are quite common and is dangerously damaging to a child. Remember, you can be helped
• Residents must be aware and always keep their pins and passwords safe in order to avoid fraud, theft and other criminal activities. They are also advised not to share important information with strangers.

Should you suspect the above has happened to you, contact police emergency numbers; 08600 10111 or 10111.

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Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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