Gerrard Kaonga
A data expert has warned exactly why criminals don't just want to steal your money, but also your identity.
Living in a digital world doesn’t just mean deleting your browser history now and again, but actively protecting yourself from online criminals.
And this is getting increasingly more difficult as criminals get more crafty and technology gets more advanced.
Sarunas Sereika, a senior product manager at cybersecurity company Surfshark, spoke to UNILAD about the ongoing battle between cyber-criminals and the public.
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As scary as it might be, it's not a surprise that cyber criminals exist to try and steal your money while avoiding detection, but Sereika explained exactly how stealing your identity can also help them, both in the short-term and the long-term.
Speaking about what happens when a person falls victim to a cyber-attack, he said: “Personal data is being stolen and that includes not only name, but typically, your credentials, your emails, your financial data.
“That is actually identity theft which could lead to further fraudulent transactions, financial losses, or just simply emotional distress knowing that someone has just taken your data.”
So not only would a victim have to worry about someone pretending to be them over the internet, but this could also result in criminals using the identity to commit further attacks or scams on other suspecting individuals. Ultimately making money using your name, while setting the criminals up for the future.
Quite the terrible double whammy of unfortunate events.
But Sereika also revealed the steps you can take to reduce the risk of being a target for cyber-criminals.
He said: “At the very basic level, you have to keep your software up to date.
“Sometimes it means you need a newer phone.
“But keep your software up to date to eliminate any backdoors for hackers, then it is having strong habits on using your passwords.
“You should use different password for every different server - this, and use two step verification. Use your phone or authentication apps - that would help to prevent phishing attacks.”
As well as these steps, the expert also called on the individual to think carefully before divulging any sensitive information.
He noted that taking the time to consider whether the person who sent you a message would really ask for your bank PIN, passport details or bank details could save you a world of hurt.
And as a final rule of thumb, he said ‘if it's too good to be true, it probably is’. Pretty much words to live by both on and off the internet, in all honesty.