Computer hacking and data breaching are some of the common cybercrimes which many businesses and individuals face, especially while using the internet. Advanced technology has made it quite challenging to regularly use the internet and avoid being a victim of cybercrime in one way or the other. There are various tips that may help keep cyberbullies at bay and help protect one's computer. Most computer users do not know how to actively protect their computer s and avoid being victims of cybercrimes. Most people like spending a lot of time on the internet and downloading files whose sources they have do not know about. Some people have never bothered to update their computer software and the anti-virus programs. Today, public networks have been installed in most places such as the restaurant and other places. Such public networks may make a computer vulnerable to cyber-attacks and invasion. The essay aims to discuss some of the tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrimes.
Today, malicious programs are all over the place, and millions of computer users become victims of cybercrimes every day ( Richards, 2016) . For a computer to recognize and resist invasion by malicious software, it must be up to date, and it must be configured with an up-to-date antivirus software as well. Keeping one's computer updated with the current patches of software, may not adequately protect the computer. This, however, may be just enough to keep a less-determined attacker at bay. Updating the computer and its antivirus software makes it quite difficult for invaders to find their way into the computer system. The most recent operating systems have automatic updates which ensure that a computer keeps checking and installing new updates. Computers with old versions of operating systems and software patches are vulnerable to almost any threat. Regularly updating one’s computer is the first step to safe browsing and the first line of defense against cybercrimes. A computer needs to have security software in place to block potential threats and delete malicious programs. There are numerous types of security software and a good quality and up to date security software should be acquired and installed to offer a full-time protection to the computer ( Reyns, 2010) .
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Passwords play a big role when it comes to protection from cybercrimes. Some hackers and cyber bullies, break into computer systems by using an individual’s own password. Most people like the idea of using a single password for multiple accounts so as to avoid losing or forgetting the password. While this could be a good idea, other people may take advantage of this and break into one’s online account or computer. Sharing passwords with a lot of people should be discouraged. For one to stay safe from cybercrimes, one needs to use strong passwords and also change the passwords regularly to make the work of invaders difficult. One should also avoid creating passwords from the common things around them such the names of their kids or spouses ( Abdulganiyu, Badeggi & Gana, 2012) .
Most people are enticed on the internet and end up becoming victims of cybercrimes by offering their identities and personal details. Cyber thieves on the internet have developed numerous ways of dealing with computer users such promising them online offers that appear too good to be true. Some hackers and invaders offer free software which online users download onto their computers and mobile phones. Some cyber thieves promise to offer gifts such as huge money and ask users to give in their details in order to receive the gifts ( Richet, 2013) . Never should anyone provide their personal information to such unknown parties. Avoiding apps from anonymous sources is a good way of avoiding becoming a cybercrime victim. Nothing good comes on a silver plate, and no one should be fooled to receive preciously looking gifts without giving anything in return. Emails from unknown parties or sources which ask for personal details should be discarded and never opened at all. Most people become cybercrime victims by simply checking into any emails they receive and agreeing to the demands in the suspicious emails without realizing it.
Today, there are public networks almost at every corner; in the hotels, at the restaurant, and in the residential areas. Public networks provide pathways on which other people connected on the same network can actually get into other computers and steal personal files. Computer users should be aware of these and ensure their computers are safe from invasion by other people. In the companies, the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), provides a high level of security and protects sensitive data from unauthorized access. Other ways of avoiding cyber bullies and thieves include using data backups and data encryption utilities. Backing up data to a secondary storage device will ensure that stolen or deleted data is still recovered. Data encryption makes it impossible for hackers to get access to one's files as it renders the data unreadable ( Martin & Rice, 2011) .
Data breaches, computer system invasion and hacking are common with recent advancement in computer technology. Many people become victims of cybercrimes even without realizing how the whole thing happened. Configuring one’s computer with the latest patches of software updates and quality security software is the first step of protecting one’s computer. Other ways of avoiding cyberbullying and cybercrimes include using strong passwords and regularly changing the passwords. Using data encryption and data backups are other ways to avoid becoming victims of cybercrime.
References
Abdulganiyu, A., Badeggi, A. Y., & Gana, U. M. (2012). Avoiding Cybercrime Pandemic in Cashless Society using HMM. International Journal of Computer Applications , 60 (7).
Martin, N., & Rice, J. (2011). Cybercrime: Understanding and addressing the concerns of stakeholders. Computers & Security , 30 (8), 803-814.
Reyns, B. W. (2010). A situational crime prevention approach to cyberstalking victimization: Preventive tactics for Internet users and online place managers. Crime Prevention and Community Safety , 12 (2), 99-118.
Richards, J. (2016). Cyber Crime: An Evolutionary Arms Race. ITNOW , 58 (3), 38-39.
Richet, J. L. (2013). Laundering Money Online: a review of cybercriminals methods. arXiv preprint arXiv:1310.2368 .
