Cyber Criminals and Blackmail

by Dhanya Menon | Nov 9, 2024 | Cyber Security | 0 comments

Have you ever received a link in an email or message and thought, “What’s wrong with clicking it to see what it is?” If so, you are exactly the type of person cyber criminals target. In most cyber crimes, it is the psychology of the user that is the primary target, not just the technology itself.

Cyber criminals can swindle small amounts from your savings, completely lock your data, or encrypt it using ransomware. In many cases, this can lead to blackmail. They might send messages or make calls claiming that they have recorded your personal activities by taking control of your camera. They may also claim to have access to your personal data stored on your devices, threatening to publish or transmit it. Sometimes, they simply demand payment in exchange for returning your data.

The key takeaway: BE CAREFUL. Never click on suspicious links or share sensitive information. Always verify sources and maintain strong cybersecurity practices to protect yourself.