Introduction

With rising instances of cyber scams bombarding the daily headlines, prevention of cybercrime is the priority before the consequences strike harder.
How frequently have you received emails offering cash or prizes with clickable links? Ample, right? Well, most of these are frauds.
Millions globally are tricked by online fraud; as cyber threats grow more sophisticated, hackers are being able to target even the most tech-savvy users. Before you become a victim of these harmful schemes, we present a complete guide to outsmarting scammers and securing your digital credibility.

Rise in cyber scams

The rise in cyber scams is alarming, with a significant increase in online fraud cases.
According to reports, India saw a 500% rise in cybercrime during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the threat continues to grow. Criminals use tactics such as phishing, fake tech support, and investment scams to deceive users.
One of the best ways to prevent cybercrime is to stay vigilant and diligently implement advanced security measures like two-factor or multi-factor authentication. You should also be careful enough not to a click on random or suspicious links.
Here is an overview of the growing instances of worldwide cyber scams:

• According to a Business Standard report, cyber scams in India rose from 26,049 complaints recorded in 2019 to 740,957 in the first four months of 2024 alone.
• Data breaches cost businesses an average of $4.35 million in 2022, as per IBM’s security report.
• Around 236.1 million ransomware attacks were recorded in the first half of 2022 (globally).
• An alarming trend of rising UPI fraud and phishing attacks has been reported by The Times of India.
• 39% of UK businesses reported suffering a cyber attack in 2022, as mentioned in the Govt. of UK cyber security breaches survey report.

How to identify a scammer?

Cybercrime is evolving fast, making it essential for you to stay vigilant. One of the most practical ways to avoid getting scammed is to understand a scammer’s mindset and execution techniques.
Here we are serving 9 common signs of cyber scams:

1. Unexpected Urgency: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency while asking for personal details, say, to update KYC. They can also stress you to share your bank/ATM PIN to activate bank services. If someone pursues you to act fast, beware.
2. Too Good to Be True: If an offer seems unrealistically appealing, it could be a red flag. Stay cautious of deals that promise huge rewards for little effort or monetary rewards for games or contests you have never played.
3. Requests for Personal Info: Be wary of anyone (unknown) asking for personal or financial information over email, phone, or social media. Don’t get swayed away.
4. Poor Grammar and Spelling: If you ever receive mail from legitimate companies with poorly written language and grammatical errors, make sure to cross-check multiple times. These could be scammers. Check the domain mail extensions to stay scam-proof.
5. Generic Greetings: Fraudulent messages often use generic salutations like "Dear Customer" instead of your name.
6. Strange Payment Methods: Scammers often ask for unconventional payment, like gift cards or cryptocurrency, which are harder to trace. Beware of such payment methods.
7. Unsecured Websites: Before entering any personal details, make sure the website’s URL starts with “https” and has a padlock icon. Getting into malicious websites can land you in serious trouble.
8. Suspicious Attachments or Links: Avoid clicking on unexpected links or downloading attachments from unknown messages and emails.
9. Social Media Impersonation: Use social media for strategic networking. Be cautious if someone reaches out to you on social media and asks for personal info or money- even if they claim to be friends or relatives.

By following these tips, you can take active participation in cybercrime and prevention and identify scammers before they can dupe you.

Prevention of cybercrime- how to stay safe?

To safeguard yourself from cyber crimes, there are several effective ways to prevent cybercrime that you can adopt to stay scam-safe in today’s evolving digital landscape.

• First thing first, always use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts to avoid cyber crime. Consider using a password manager to keep a tab of all passwords in a unified platform.
• Enable two-factor and multi-factor authentication wherever possible, to add an extra layer of security.
• Be cautious with your personal information online; limit what you share on social media and ensure your privacy settings are optimised.
• Update all the software installed and all your devices frequently to protect against vulnerabilities.
• Educate yourself about phishing scams—be wary of suspicious emails or messages asking for sensitive information.
• Using a reputable antivirus program can also help detect and block threats.
• Lastly, backup your important data regularly to mitigate the impact of ransomware or data loss. By adopting these proactive measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber crimes.

Conclusion

In today's digital landscape, the rise of cybercrime underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. This escalating threat presents exciting career opportunities for aspiring security professionals. By enrolling in industry-leading cybersecurity courses online, individuals can equip themselves with the skills needed to combat cyber threats and safeguard our digital future.