CYBERCRIME IN FOCUS BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE
ACTION AGAINST
Cybercrime Here are a few tips on how you can avoid Cyber Fraud
I
nternational Fraud Awareness Week takes place between 15-21 November annually. This commemoration encourages organisations, businesses and individuals to proactively take the necessary precautions to minimise the devastating impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. Raising awareness on fraud is essential, as organisations around the world are currently losing an estimated 5%of their annual revenues as a result of cybercrimes and cyber fraud — according to the 2020 ACFE Report to the Nations. In light of International Fraud Week, it is an optimal time to address cybercrimes, especially cyber fraud. WHAT IS CYBER FRAUD? Cyber fraud is a crime committed by way of utilising a computer/ electronic device with the intent to corrupt another individual's
personal and financial data, which has been stored online. This type of data can be used by a cyber fraud perpetrator to financially fund themselves, or they might intend to use this money to fund illegal activities. WHERE DO WE STAND? This particular type of cybercrime may harm someone's overall security and reputation as well. And one way for this crime to be committed is through the use of ransomware. Ransomware is everywhere and just about anyone can fall prey to this type of attack. Research has shown that throughout the first half of 2021, Africa accounted for 1,7% of ransomware attacks worldwide. South Africa made up 1,05% of these recorded attacks. This indicates that only 0,65% of the total recorded attacks were actually against users in other
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parts of the African continent — Trend Micro’s midyear Cybersecurity Report 2021. The Trend Micro’s midyear Cybersecurity Report also highlighted a 47% year-on-year surge in email threats, as well as malicious files and URLs.
We were able to sustain our operations by continuously innovating, implementing robust turnaround strategies “Pre-pandemic, when most of the workforce was office-based, it was easier to secure endpoints and a company’s data centre. Traditional perimeter security has disappeared. It is now found wherever your workforce is located – at their homes, in hotel rooms, coffee shops or coworking spaces. Now, the task requires moving workloads to the cloud and securing every employee,
