The Truth about Cyber Crime

Recently Cyber Crime has stolen news headlines across the globe: computers are crashing, heads are exploding and we’re all crying…it’s the end of the world! 

Ok, that was a bit of an exaggeration; although cyber-crime is a constantly evolving threat, all hope is not lost. According to news networks and reports by professionals in the IT field, removable drives are the main source of malware infections facing South Africans. The extensive use of flash drives and lack of secure passwords are many computer users’ downfall.

Generally the most popular platforms are targeted and, as a consequence of the mass migration to smart mobile devices, these smartphones and tablets are being targeted by criminals intent on stealing personal and financial information. Unfortunately there are no 100% safe operating systems out there (sorry Apple, but we haven’t forgotten about the great botnet saga of 2012!)

However, contrary to popular belief, it’s not the computer system that is at fault, these cyber-attacks are really targeted at lazy humans. Think about it: you use the same password for nearly everything, you use a birth date, 123456 or any kind of “lazy” password, giving cyber criminals a free pass. However, with crime on the rise, creating a password has become a special skill of sorts, you now have very specific guidelines when setting up a password for anything – at this rate we will soon be asked to provide a password containing 1 number, a couple of letters, a blood sample, 3 unicorn tail hairs and a cherub feather. I think everyone gets the picture, we all have to be more vigilant and cover our behinds.

The lack of internet penetration and cable broadband in South Africa are two possible factors that prohibit massive malware outbreaks in SA, but that has not stopped cyber criminals from causing damage to a certain degree.   Ensure your antivirus is reputable and up to date and regularly scan your external drives.

Written by: Christine Kleyn

Copywriter at The Computer Guyz Cape Town and Centurion