In today’s expanding technological age, Cyber Crime has become a burning issue. It is increasingly becoming a common phenomenon which many experts and hackers can easily resort to. Hackers today have it really easy and convenient, where they can gain access to our computers and networking systems using really simple phishing techniques. They prey on our weak cyber behaviors and send an email that appears to be from a trusted source, and encourage us to click a seemingly innocuous hyperlink or attachment that grants them backdoor access into our entire system. No one is safe from such indiscernible phishing attacks, not even companies on the forefront of technology like Apple and Yahoo whose security flaws have also been exploited.
Cyber experts like Arun Vishwanath of New York have conducted experiments to unearth what exactly motivates people to click on such malicious emails and messages and fall for such scams. He sent simulated phishing emails to participants in his research and recorded the pattern of reasoning they use for their online practices. One common reason he found was misconceptions about cyber behavior that he calls ‘Cyber Risk Beliefs’, where people have misguided notions about what is and isn’t safe online; like thinking that PDF attachments are safer as they cannot be edited. He also found that routinization in checking emails and social media reduced their conscious awareness during the activity, making them more susceptible to cyber-attacks. These habits of individual online users must be reformed if we wish to see a substantial change in the frequency of cyberattacks.
One important solution would be to implement a centralized national clearinghouse, where people could instantaneously submit their cyber complaints and expect help and remuneration. This would be effective as opposed to the different institutions combating cyber threats now, that simply collect emails. The centralized cybersecurity team could trace the threat and in addition also publicize it, to notify other users from falling for similar scams. And this act of habitually reporting our suspicions could lead to more cybersecurity consciousness among all of us.
For further information, please click on https://www.arunvishwanath.us/2015/01/29/how-to-fight-cybercrime-with-smarter-habits/