Cybercrime

What is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime are criminal acts related to the use of computers such as:

• Gaining unauthorised access to computer to view, modify or destroy its data.

• Committing crime committed using the internet as a medium (e.g. sexual offences such as molest or date-rape; extortion; drug-peddling; disposal of stolen property; online auction fraud; and child pornography).
  There are individuals waiting for opportunities to gain unauthorised access to your computer for their own ends. They might even make use of your computer to commit crime without your knowledge

• E-shopping or online shopping may be convenient and effortless. But there are syndicates or individuals, who are out to steal credit card numbers or information on personal identity.

• “Get-rich-quick” investment proposals are another ruse through e-mail to lure potential victims. For example, certain individuals may claim to be high-ranking government officials or royalty. They may approach you to transfer ‘huge sum of excess government funds’ out of foreign countries to earn ‘huge commissions’ in return. Accepting such offer will cause you to lose large sum of money as there are likely to be scams.

Preventive Measures

• Always using password to protect your computer

• Use unique passwords with a mixture of numbers and alphabets in upper and lower case.

• Changing passwords regularly.

• Do not disclose or sharing passwords with anyone

• Keep written record of passwords securely (e.g. under lock and key)

To protect yourself:

• Take your time to understand the offer.

• Ask for more information when required .

• Do not give your credit card information or other personal information over the Internet without first verifying the reliability of the merchant/recipient.

• Beware of ‘great’ offers that may turn out to be stolen or fraudulently obtained goods.

• Chatting with strangers online through Internet-Relay-Chat (IRCs) or ICQ? Anyone can mask his identity and impersonate another person. He/She might be a criminal in disguise. To be on the safe side:

  • Avoid meeting your new online pals alone.

  • Meet the person in a public place, preferably with a trusted friend or family member.

  • Never respond to message that makes you uncomfortable.

  • Do not rely on strangers you meet in a chat-room for important advice.

  • Avoid revealing personal information such as full names, telephone no, and home address to individuals over IRC.

  • Avoid online exchange of personal photographs of your family and your home .

In case you become a victim of cybercrime, take the following steps to:

• Preserve information stored in your computer as evidence:

• Keep a log of all online sessions or print them out.

• Save any annoying or threatening email; and

• Report the crime to the police immediately at the nearest NPC or NPP.