15th May 2021, Kathmandu
Cybercrime is a criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network, or a network device. Cybercrime may threaten a person, company, or a nation’s security and financial health. The main aim of cybercrime is to damage computers for earning a profit which could be political or personal. Cybercrime is not only committed by cybercriminals or hackers who want to earn money but is also carried out by individuals or organizations. In general, cybercrime, the bane of the internet, refers to any illegal activities carried out using technology.
Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as Coronavirus or COVID-19, is a worldwide pandemic that has affected everything in the world. The world has faced a lot of troubles. The pandemic has led to lockdown, and the imposed lockdown has made people compelled to stay at home. People are spending excessive time using the internet, relying on the internet to access services. People are connected to the internet for work, school, shopping, entertainment, consulting doctors. As the number of people is increasingly using the internet, unfortunately, cybercrime has also surged worldwide.
Human factors are a central component of cybersecurity as individual behaviors, personality, and attitudes to technology impact vulnerability. Even before the pandemic, cybercrime was recognized as a major global risk, but now it has been more troubleshot after the pandemic. The lockdown has also significantly increased concerns about the vulnerable persons online. Cybercrimes like: Phishing scams, online harassment, cyberstalking, invasion of privacy are increased day by day rapidly.
Although the children are greatly benefiting from e-schooling, they are also more exposed to threats coming from the internet:file-sharing abuse, inappropriate content, and even the grooming of children for sexual purposes are some f the dangers they and their parents should be aware of.
Another common scam taking place on the web in lockdown is fake promises of investment opportunities. People show the temptation of money, and other giveaways and several gifts hamper to fund themself through hacking their personal details and information.
Cybercriminals maximize the new opportunities related to the rapid increase in working from home and pandemic-related fears by emphasizing attacks that exploit human vulnerabilities.
We can even see examples of online medical fraud. The frauds are even selling the medicine, making people compelled to buy, showing the temptation of healing from the Coronavirus, and the people are also attracted as their lives are very crucial to them.
Another side effect of lockdown has been a growing demand for pornography. The industry has seen an increase in the number of users, but concerns are being raised about vulnerable categories being pushed into exploitation, including drug addicts and child trafficking.
Although the risk of being attacked by these several cybercrimes will remain, some preventive measures may help the people and the users come out of this. The best alternatives are to be very vigilant about phishing emails and websites, practice good cyber hygiene, use only trusted wi-fi networks, and consider adopting a password manager to help to avoid using the same password for multiple websites. If you doubt you are being attacked by cybercrime, immediately call the concerned bodies.