Criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network or a networked device
Types of cybercrime
Email and internet fraud
Identity fraud (where personal information is stolen and used)
Theft of financial or card payment data
Theft and sale of corporate data
Cyberextortion (demanding money to prevent a threatened attack)
Ransomware attacks (a type of cyberextortion)
Cryptojacking (where hackers mine cryptocurrency using resources they do not own)
Cyberespionage (where hackers access government or company data)
Interfering with systems in a way that compromises a network
Infringing copyright
Illegal gambling
Selling illegal items online
Soliciting, producing, or possessing child pornography
Malware attack
A computer system or network is infected with a computer virus or other type of malware
Phishing
A campaign where spam emails, or other forms of communication, are sent with the intention of tricking recipients into doing something that undermines their security
Distributed DoS attacks (DDoS)
A type of cybercrime attack that cybercriminals use to bring down a system or network
Hacking
Unauthorized use of someone else's computer or online account
Ways for hacking to happen
Installing a keystroke logger (keylogger) software
Using trial and error in the input of passwords
Using viruses to get into your computer to harvest information
Ways to lessen the risk of getting hacked
Use a password that is combination of letters and numbers
Use a strong anti-virus or firewall program
Never click on suspicious links
Don't give anyone access to your computer
Avoid keeping important accounts data in your computer
Be careful what you post and answer in social media
Signs of virus infection
Your computer runs slower than it used to be
Programs and applications take longer to load and sometimes refresh on their own or disappear from the taskbar
Certain files and data are deleted
Unusual files or directories appear on your system
Disk space and file names change for no reason
Strange text, images, and messages appear on your screen
Your computer shuts down unexpectedly or crashes frequently
Ways to protect your computer against viruses
Make sure your computer's firewall is always turned on
Use updated anti-virus software and perform a full computer virus scan regularly
Never open an e-mail attachment unless you know who sent it and you are expecting the attachment
Avoid using or downloading programs from unknown sources and stick to commercial software
Keep your operating system always up-to-date
Back up your files regularly
Spam
The electronic equivalent of junk mail, flooding message accounts over the Internet with copies of the same message
Types of spam
Email spam (junk mail or unsolicited commercial e-mail)
Instant messaging spam (also called spim, sending unsolicited messages and links to millions of users)
Onlinegame messaging spam (message flooding in chat rooms, public discussion areas, and private messaging functions of online games)
Search engine spam (spam sent via black hat or questionable search engine optimization techniques)
Blog and guestbook spam (template messages repeatedly posted in the comment sections and guest books)
Video site spam (messages posted with enticing text and images, usually promising videos of a sexually suggestive nature)
Virus spam (spam automatically received from someone else's computer)
What to do when spammed
Be selective when responding to messages
Be careful of signing up or posting to various websites
Create e-mail filters
Make sure not to aid in perpetuating forwarded messages
Frauds and scams
Fake sellers who use computer service to promote bogus service, products, and investment opportunities, with the common goal of fooling you into giving away money and/or bank information
Guidelines to identify online frauds or scams
If something is too good to be true, then most likely it is
Be wary of products that are offered too cheap
Be cautious of buyers or sellers who have insufficient contact information provided on their sites
Research will go a long way
Common types of online frauds and scams
Get rich or deposit scams (scams that generally ask you to send money as "initial deposit" which allow you to earn much more)
Phishing email and website scams (emails and websites that resemble legitimate credit or bank authorities)
Winner or claim scam (email saying you've won, inherited, or are the recipient of something great)
Credit card scam (incredible offers of advanced fees paid for a guaranteed loan or credit card)
Auction fraud (you never get the product promised or bid on)
Employment scam (bogus job offers asking for personal data)
Lottery scam (intriguing emails saying you won a huge amount of money)
Travel scam (email with the offer of an amazing low airfare to an exotic destination)
Disaster relief scam (fake charity websites asking for donations)
Cyberstalking
The use of the Internet by an individual or a group of individuals to harass another individual, group of individuals, or organization