The modern world has developed significantly over the years. One of the most notable inventions has been the internet. Allowing us to communicate within seconds, watch movies from anywhere, and even work from the other side of the world — the internet has allowed our world to advance massively, especially over the past decade.

However, as much as the world wide web has brought us a lot of ease and convenience, it has also brought us some serious drawbacks. Cybercrime is one of these drawbacks, and unfortunately, it has claimed millions of victims over the years.

The sad reality is that cybercrime is becoming more frequent as well. Over the past few years, there have been far more victims of cybercrime than ever before. If your devices are not protected against these virtual threats, there is a good chance that you could be their next target! Make sure to read to the end of the article to get an understanding of the risks that you face online, and how you can keep your devices safe.

The Dangers of Cybercrime

What exactly is “cybercrime”? We’ve all heard of the term before, but what does it mean? There’s a common misconception that ‘cybercrime’ is very much like “cyberbullying” in the sense that it only affects your devices and what you see on your screens. But the reality is that this devastating form of crime is not simply limited to your device, and its effects go far beyond that of your screen. 

Cybercrime is a very real threat. From fraud to identity theft, the risks that you face online are exceptional. If you’re not careful with the information you post on the internet, you could be the next to experience the devastating effects that cybercrime has on the global population.

While cybercrime does refer to crimes that take place on the internet or a device of some form, it’s not as simple as switching off your device and forgetting about it. The majority of the effects that cybercrime has on people’s daily lives are horrific. For example, ransomware will lock you out of any of your important files or accounts, and the only way to regain access to them is by paying an enormous ransom fee — usually thousands of dollars!

There’s also identity theft where cybercriminals will use your details to open accounts. When these accounts are not paid, you are the one who will land in hot water for it, completely unaware that someone has used your details for their benefit.

Fraud is another danger that you need to be aware of. Whether the hackers have direct access to your bank accounts or they are simply using your credit card to make online purchases, you could easily lose a lot of money if you’re not carefully avoiding cybercrime.

Is Cybercrime Common?

Whether you have experienced cybercrime in the past or not, you may be wondering just how common this virtual threat is. Should you be worried about it? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

There is no doubt that cybercrime is one of the most devastating forms of crime out there, and to make matters worse, it has spiked in popularity in recent years. Over the past two years specifically, we have seen a surge in activity when it comes to global cybercrime. This refers not only to the number of attempted cyber attacks, but also the successful ones. There are two main reasons for this sudden increase in cybercrime.

Firstly, there has been a steady increase in people who own personal devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets all around the world. Moreover, thousands of these devices are sold daily, with the majority of these sales going to first-time device users. Why is this fact so significant? The majority of people who own a device for the first time are unaware of the dangers they might face on the internet, therefore putting them more at risk of falling victim to a cyberattack. If you think about the households around you — how many of those have no devices? The chances are high that every household you can think of has at least one device of some form — keep this in mind.

Secondly, the spike in successful cyberattacks coincides with the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. With people confined to their own homes, they had to keep themselves entertained, work remotely, and keep in touch with their friends and family. Of course, the vehicle for all of these activities is a personal device.

So, what do these two factors have in common? The answer is an increase in screen time, and that is the reason why we’re seeing unprecedented levels of cybercrime in our modern world. Not only are there more victims to target, but unfortunately, there are also more people who will fall victim to the traps set out by hackers. 

The sad reality is that a lot of people are falling victim to cyber-attacks simply because they are unaware of the dangers they might face online, and they are unsure of how to keep their devices protected.

How to Stay Protected Against Cybercrime

We’ve all heard the famous quote: “prevention is better than cure”. Well, it could not be more relevant to cybersecurity as well. The best way to ensure that you and your devices stay safe online is by using state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools. There’s one primary cybersecurity tool that you need to invest in to ensure that your device will be safe at all times.

The cybersecurity tool you need is premium antivirus software. Antivirus software will constantly scan your device for any viruses or other forms of malware. Once any malware has been detected by the antivirus software, it can also take action to remove them from your device before they do any further damage.

It’s also important to invest in antivirus software that has additional safety features built into it. One specific feature to look out for is the ability to scan emails, websites, and other links to check for phishing scams. Phishing scams are the main method that cybercriminals use to steal login credentials or install malware on their victim’s devices.

Another important tool to invest in is a premium VPN. VPNs are capable of masking what you do on your device as well as your physical location. Not even your ISP or the government are able to track your location or internet traffic — making this the ultimate tool for privacy and security on the internet.