Making complex data simple and compelling
From digital device to digital evidence
Unlock your vehicle's digital evidence potential
Forensic Analysis and Enhancement
Investigating and analyzing financial records
Gain access to the online accounts of deceased loved ones
Clear, precise evidence for a messy world
Expert reports to suit your specific needs
We can locate people anywhere
Stop worrying and learn the truth
Prevent, Detect, Respond To Cyberattacks
First response is crucial. Every minute counts.
The first response is critical to reduce liability
Detection & Removing Spyware Services
Reduce your electronic risk from digital transmittals
Find out who you are really talking to
Experienced, Confidential Services
Swift, professional incident response
Complicated cases require compelling digital facts
Find, recover and document digital evidence
Bring solid evidence before a judge
Cases can be investigated using Social Media
It’s nearly impossible to live in our modern world without using technology. From simple text messaging to comprehensive data software and businesses, every aspect of our day-to-day lives involves technology.
But that also means that nearly every activity we take is at risk for hackers to commit cybercrime. You don’t need to be on the dark web to come into contact with these threat actors.
Last year at the Internet Crime Complaint Center, the FBI received over 880,000 reports of cybercrime — a 10% increase from 2022. And that’s only what was reported in American jurisdictions, making cybercrime a worldwide problem that impacts everyone.
At Digital Forensics, our goal is to help prevent you from becoming a victim of cybercrime. And if the worst-case scenario happens, we’re here as your partner to get answers and seek justice. It’s our mission to make sure you know what exactly cybercrime is, and how you can prevent it.
To be able to prevent cybercrime, you have to understand its characteristics. Let’s walk through some of the most common examples of cybercrime and how you can spot it before you become a victim.
Phishing is a type of cybercrime that involves deceptive emails, messages, or fraudulent websites to trick individuals into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details. It often takes advantage of unsuspecting users who think they’re providing information to a legitimate source but unknowingly are passing information to the hands of cybercriminals.
Malware, short for malicious software, refers to a computer crime in which harmful programs are designed and forcefully installed to damage, disrupt, or access your computer systems. Malware can take many forms and target you using computer viruses, apps, worms, Trojans, and spyware. Once installed on a victim’s device, it will cause havoc and perform a range of malicious activities, such as stealing personal data, monitoring user activity, or corrupting files.
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. This cyberextortion scheme often spreads through phishing emails or exploit kits that exploit software vulnerabilities and infect the device. Once the malware encrypts the files, the victim receives a ransom note demanding payment, usually in cryptocurrency, to unlock their data.
Identity theft is a serious issue that happens when someone’s personal information, like their name, Social Security number, or financial details, is stolen and used without their consent, often for financial gain. This can lead to significant financial and personal troubles for the victim.
Cybercriminals use different methods, such as phishing, data breaches, or social engineering, to get hold of personal information. Once they have it, they can carry out illegal activities, such as opening credit accounts or making unauthorized purchases.
Cybercrime is, sadly, everywhere. Being able to boost your defenses and spot any alarming potential threats can keep you safe and your information protected. With a strong cybersecurity framework, you can prevent yourself from being a victim of cybercrime.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a CEO of a company, or just an everyday user of technology, here are ten ways to prevent cybercrime:
One of the simplest and best ways to protect yourself from cybercrime is by creating a strong, unique password for each of your online accounts. You’ll want to avoid anything easily guessed or including simple phrases and numbers like your birthday, common words, or your name.
There are several different types of password managers and password generator programs that can help you create a password that’s difficult to guess. These applications can also help you keep track of your different passwords so you’re never locked out of your accounts.
Some best practices to create a strong password include:
Creating a strong and unique password is an essential defense mechanism to protect your accounts from cybercriminals and hackers. It provides peace of mind and reassurance that your personal and sensitive information is secure.
Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of security to your accounts by requiring two different forms of identification for access.
In addition to your username and password, 2FA may require a biometric fingerprint, a code sent to your phone, a smart card, or another form of secondary verification. This extra step helps to ensure that any individuals who aren’t supposed to can’t gain access to your account — even if they have obtained your login credentials.
Having the latest version of your software systems installed can ensure you’re always protected with the most recent security updates and features. This ensures any bugs or security gaps have been addressed, which can protect you from cyber threats or other criminal activities.
Hackers will often target people using outdated software since they know they can exploit gaps and potentially access your personal information more easily. That’s why keeping the latest version of your software is a crucial part of preventing cybercrime.
Similar to keeping your software and applications updated, having the latest version of antivirus software can protect your devices from online threats like ransomware, malware, phishing attempts, and more.
If you don’t already have it, it’s strongly recommended to incorporate this type of technology into your cybersecurity plan.
Antivirus software will help protect your systems in a few different ways:
As you explore different antivirus software options, think about the level of protection you need for your operating system and how extensive you want it to be. Remember that some software may slow down your system, so having the appropriate existing infrastructure can ensure that any antivirus software does not impact your computer’s performance but instead keeps you safe.
Phishing scams are one of the most common — and, unfortunately, effective — types of cyber crimes. In a phishing attempt, cybercriminals will solicit information from victims by sending a fake website, text message or social media message.
The goal is to trick them into clicking a fake link or submitting information that they can use to access your accounts, steal your money or see other confidential information that can wreak havoc on your life.
There are several different types of phishing scams that can leave you victimized by cybercrime. Some common ones include:
As scammers get more advanced and their techniques shift, it’s important to understand their tactics and how to avoid falling victim can save you. When you’re aware of the red flags and their tactics, you’re able to stay alert to their schemes better.
Making sure your home or office Wi-Fi is secure is a big aspect of preventing cybercrimes from happening. When you put the proper network security in place, it makes it more difficult for any cybercriminals to hack into your system, steal your data or access personal information.
Whether you have an Apple, Microsoft, or other kind of device, the best way to keep your computer network secure is to set up specific settings:
As long as you stay vigilant and up to date with the latest security updates, your Wi-Fi can prevent hackers from reaching your information.
If the worst-case scenario happens and all your data is lost or stolen, will you be protected? Regularly backing up your data is a key part of any cybersecurity plan, ensuring that in the event of a cyber-attack, you’re able to get the important business or personal information you need.
Even if it’s not ransomware attacks, if your hardware fails or you accidentally delete your system data, having a backup can allow you to recover and access the information quickly. While this is important for your personal information, it’s even more critical if you run a business or have operation files that aren’t backed up.
You can choose from several different types of backup, including full or incremental. Consider your particular data needs and the amount of storage you have to decide which type of backup is best for you. If you’re not sure where to start, our team can help provide advice and options for the best data security measures.
Online security methods are always changing because the bad guys are always working hard to come up with new ways to infiltrate and access your personal information. It’s important to proactively stay informed about all the latest cybercriminal tactics to keep you or your business safe from cyber-attacks.
There are countless resources that can help you stay up to date with popular scams or new methods of cyber criminal activity, including online webinars, training sessions, courses, industry conferences and more.
Another service that our team at Digital Forensics provides is security assessment and testing to analyze your system and determine where the weaknesses are. This can help you proactively discover where your vulnerabilities are in the system and create a plan to improve and secure your data.
Making sure your digital information is safe and secure requires a bit of added infrastructure to get the peace of mind you need. Using a Security Information and Event Management tool can help you identify threats as they happen and ensure you have the right settings on your systems to protect you.
You can have the best security systems in place, but none of that will matter if you carelessly click a link or fall for a scammer’s demands. That’s why practicing safe behavior online is foundational to these tips and to preventing cybercrime.
You can protect yourself from cybercrime with a proactive approach and the right resources to guide you. If you’re interested in taking the first step to enhancing your cybersecurity, reach out to our team at Digital Forensics. We can help you audit your current security measures, educate your team, and investigate any cybercrime activity you’ve been exposed to.
Protecting your digital footprint never stops. But Digital Forensics is here to help. Contact us today to get started.
Sources:
Facts + Statistics: Identity theft and cybercrime | III.
Phishing Scams | ftc.gov
Password Manager
Cybersecurity Best Practices | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency CISA
Please enter the result of the calculation above.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ
Speak to a Specialist Now
Get Help Now