Fatma Zourob

Zourob  1   Cyber Attacks: A Modern Epidemic of Internet Crimes According to John McAfee, a cyber security expert, "the modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun. Tomorrow's terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb" (McAfee, 2012). The quotation illustrates that the Internet has become the most powerful communication tool, but it has also become the playground for cyber attacks. Statistics reveal that the exploitation of data costs the global economy a staggering $80 billion annually (Morgan, 2016). Over the past decade, computer networks designed a new breed of cyber terrorists who surf the Internet in search of their next victims. Cyber criminals commit these offences via computer hacking to perpetuate further illegal acts, such as identity theft, trafficking in child pornography, cyber harassment, or privacy violations (Techopedia). Virtual hackers indiscriminately target victims on worldwide networks from businesses, and corporations to individual citizens, and global influencers. The negative implications of cyber-crime can lead to tarnished reputations, job loss, or even business failures; however, measures of prevention can be taken to protect digital assets and private information. The most common victims of cyber-crimes are global corporations in business and technology. The biggest security breach of the 21st century impacted one of the world’s most successful companies. In September 2016, Yahoo’s cyber security breach affected about 3 billion accounts. The hackers stole a backup of Yahoo’s database to install “fake cookies” – bits of code stored in the user’s browser cache to avoid the login process. The web cookies “could allow an intruder to access users’ accounts without a password” by manipulating the website to accept it as the original cookie (Britton, 2016). Database of the stolen user accounts contained sensitive information such as email addresses, passwords, births dates, telephone numbers, and in some cases, credit card information. This cyber breach cost the company reputational damage, customer loyalty, and most importantly, more than $1.5 billion in revenue losses between 2015 and 2016 as illustrated in Figure 1. Yahoo took action by sending out emails to all users urging them to change their passwords and even added unencrypted security questions for further protection of private information. Zourob  2   Figure 1: Source: Atlas, Data Fact Set Although cyber criminals target global corporations for valuable digital assets, cyber attacks on citizens can also be inevitable. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes globally; costing insurance companies billions of dollars annually. The targets are bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards, social security numbers, or any other private information. The most common identity theft hacks that Internet users fall prey for are “phishing emails”, also known as scam emails. The emails impersonate trusted company agents or desperate pleas for help to steal personal information and security details. File hijacking has also become more prevalent in recent years where criminals steal files via malware software to demand a huge ransom for the return of valuable information. Not only are adults prone to become victims, but children are also among the newest targets of cyber-crimes. According to Crimes Against Children Research Centre, 75% of children are willing to share personal information online about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services. Sexual predators lure children into online chat rooms and social media platforms by pretending to be teenagers looking for relationships. Solicitations for explicit pictures begin immediately and approximately 39% of online child molesters possess child pornography (Ybarra, 2015). Threats for the Zourob  3   release of the private pictures lead children to send more explicit photos, and in some cases, commit suicide. As cyber-crimes spread across the globe targeting powerful corporations and innocent citizens, measures of precautions become necessary to protect digital assets. The need to keep up with technological advancements in security updates become essential, especially since software flaws can occur. Companies can protect private information by enhancing security software such as firewalls and antivirus programs. Firewall monitors data attempting to enter online networks and blocks bad traffic to prevent malicious software to breach the computer (Schuck, 2005). Investing in employee training and education on the dangers of “phishing emails” or phone call ticks can help prevent cyber hacks. Internet users need to regularly review bank accounts statements to immediately report fraud once it occurs. A hacker’s lottery ticket to a user’s accounts is a weak password. Cyber security experts recommend using complex and long passwords that contain a combination of letters, numbers and symbols (Schneier, 2013). In addition, Internet users need to closely monitor suspicious emails, avoid pop-up ads, and run antivirus software. To protect those who are the most vulnerable to cyber-crimes, parents need to install control software such as Cyber Fence (Schneier, 2013). Cyber Fence allows parents to prohibit access to inappropriate websites, and send alerts via text message when intruders try to lure children to send private information. Lecturing children about the dangers of cyber criminals promotes a safe online environment to report any unusual activities to the parents. Cyber-crimes have destructive effects on businesses, corporations and innocent citizens causing capital loss, reputational damage and psychological distress. An individual can do their best to protect themselves by avoiding scam emails, unknown caller IDs and pop-up ads. The ability to remain anonymous on the Internet imposes new challenges for law enforcements to persecute online criminals. However, the rise of cyber awareness through Television shows such as “To Catch a Predator” by Chris Hanson reveals the dangers of online child predators. In the United States, new investments in malicious software detection and training are undergoing modifications to combat cyber-crime. The need for stricter implementations of laws and regulations can Zourob  4   help create a cyber secure future with guaranteed consequences of online criminal activities. Most importantly, educating the public about the dangers and methods of precautions regarding cyber-crimes will build a safe and secure online environment. Zourob  5   Works Cited Allison, S. F. H., Schuck, A. M., & Lersch, K. M. Exploring the crime of identity theft: Prevalence, clearance rates, and victim/offender characteristics. Journal of Criminal Justice, 2005, 33(1), 19–29. Britton, Alexander. “Yahoo admits that all 3 billion of its accounts were hacked in 2013 cyber attack.” Mirror, 4 Oct. 2017, www.mirror.co.uk/tech/yahoo-admits-3billion-accounts-. "Cyber Crime Definition | Techopedia." Techopedia. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 October 2017. MacAfee, K. The Future of Cyber Criminology: Challenges and Opportunities. International Journal of Cyber Criminology 2012, 4, 26–31. Morgan, Steve. “Cyber Crime Costs Projected To Reach $2 Trillion by 2019.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 17 Jan. 2016,www.forbes.com/sites/stevemorgan/2016 /01/17/cyber-crime-costs-projected-to-reach-2-trillion-by-2019/#658bc7ed3a91. Schneier, B. The anti-ID-theft bill. Retrieved August 21, 2013, from http://www.wired.com/politics/security/commentary/ securitymatters/2006/04/70690 Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2015). Exposure to Internet pornography among children and adolescents: A national survey. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 8, 473–486.