BROADLY, Cyber Crime covers any illegal behaviour committed by means of, or in relation to, a computer system or network. Cyber Crimes are on the rise. Here are some of the Dos and Don’ts that one can be aware of and follow to avoid or minimize the risk of becoming a victim of such Crimes:-
Dos
* Ensure that your virus definitions are up to date and run anti-virus and spyware detectors/cleaners regularly.
* Use strong passwords – Easy to remember and difficult to guess. Use alphanumeric and special characters in your password. The length of password should be as long as possible (More than 8 characters).Use a variety of passwords, not same for all of your accounts.
* Avoid doing online banking, shopping, etc. if the network is not properly secured.
* Never respond to unsolicited calls/ messages/e-mails.
* Beware of e-mails asking you to deposit money into certain bank accounts (mostly fictitious) so that you may be able to redeem your prize won in a lottery or that you may be given a job or that you may be able to receive a parcel supposedly sent from abroad(this last one is mostly related to social-networking crimes).
* Preservation of evidence (logs/received e-mails in question etc. Do not delete them).
Don’ts
* Tell any anonymous chat friend – Your real name, home address, your phone number, Your friends’ or family members’ private information, your passwords etc.
* Be deceived/pressured into divulging information related to your Bank account, if you receive an e-mail/Call/SMS purporting to be from your Bank or credit card provider as criminals use scare tactics.
* Open any e-mail or attachments that look suspicious.
* Assume that a company is legitimate based on “appearance” of the website.
* Be carried away by investment offers that promise high returns at little or no risk.
* Hand over your Bank Passbook/Debit Card/Credit card to just anyone.
* Share your ATM secret PIN with anyone.
* Use SIM cards not registered in your name.
* Respond to unsolicited calls/messages/e-mails.
Help us fight/prevent cyber crime
Courtesy: State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB), Nagaland Police
