With the increase in the Internet usage, it is now being used for various kinds of crimes to steal users’ personal information, steal money from users bank accounts etc.
Some of the internet crimes include credit card fraud, blackmailing people by accessing their personal information, blackmailing people by accessing their pictures and placing them at suspicious sites, email scams, hacking users bank accounts, websites, email accounts, social networking accounts, and making misuse of the accessed information, through viruses.
Almost everyone who use internet for his/her benefits can be a victim of Internet crimes. In most of the cases, such emails are a part of phishing scams; therefore, you should not open the links given until you are not sure about their authenticity.
Moreover, you should not give information like Account Number, Password, Date of Birth, etc. to anyone through email or chat because none of the bank will ask you to provide this information through email or chat.
You should not upload your personal images on social networking sites that do not offer security features because someone with creepy mind can use them in wrong way to blackmail you.
Not only should users be vigilant but the concerned authorities like PTA, PEMRA and other regulatory bodies should come up with effective action plans to deal with this menace which will surely become unmanageable if not checked.
AYESHA SAEED
Karachi