IT CRIMES
Whether the 21st century is called the Space Age or the Internet Age is still hotly debated. Especially with the arrival of the web 4.0 era, technological developments started to come one after another. Inventions that make life easier in many fields such as medicine, space, internet, electrical appliances, transport vehicles are being launched.
Especially with the development and acceptance of “bitchain” technology, cryptocurrencies and banking systems seem to have moved to a quite new system. Artistic products produced with NFT technology find buyers for thousands of dollars in auction halls. It is still a matter of curiosity whether these products will turn into an investment tool.
Of course, the criminal world is not indifferent to these developments. Especially crimes committed using bitchain technology and cryptocurrencies have increased considerably. The “untraceable money transfers” promised by cryptocurrencies seem to have paved the way for a new trend in money laundering.
WHAT IS CYBERCRIME?
Cybercrime is criminal activity that targets or uses a computer, computer network or a technological device connected to an internet network. Cybercrimes are usually committed with the aim of stealing personal data, attempting to commit fraud or making money.
Cybercrime can be committed by individuals or organisations. The perpetrators of these crimes may be amateurs, people using highly advanced technological devices or organisations with material and moral power.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF CYBERCRIME?
– E-mail and internet fraud
– Identity theft (theft of personal data)
– Stealing, using or selling credit card information
– Theft and sale of corporate data
– Cyber extortion (demanding money to prevent a threatened attack)
– Ransomware attacks
– Cryptojacking
– Cyber espionage (access to personal data of governments)
– Interfering with systems in a way that may damage the network
– Infringement of copyright
– Illegal gambling
– Selling prohibited products over the Internet
– Soliciting, producing and possessing child pornography
– Creating and spreading digital viruses to disable computer hardware
Effects of Cybercrime
According to a report prepared by Cybersecurity Ventures, worldwide spending on cybercrime is estimated to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. The report also highlights an estimated annual growth rate of 15% in cybercrime over the next five years.
Financial loss is one of the obvious impacts of cybercrime and can be quite significant. But cybercrime has other disastrous consequences for businesses:
Investor perception can be a major issue, with the security breach causing the value of businesses to plummet.
Businesses may also face increased borrowing costs, and raising further capital after a security breach can also be challenging.
Loss of sensitive customer data can result in penalties and fines for failure to protect customer data. Businesses can be sued for data breaches.
Customers’ trust in the business will decrease due to loss of reputation and damage to brand identity after a cyber attack. Businesses not only lose their existing customers, but also have difficulty gaining new customers.
Direct costs may also arise, such as the cost of hiring cyber security companies for remediation, increased insurance premium costs, public relations (PR) and other services related to the attack.
How to Prevent Cyber Crime?
To ensure optimal cyber security, it is recommended to include data backups, system backups and related considerations in your security strategy. This is because mismanagement of backups can ultimately lead to security breaches and sensitive information can be compromised.
Never Share Personal Information with a Stranger
One of the simplest but most effective ways to protect personal information is to avoid sharing it with people who are not known or trusted. This includes avoiding sharing sensitive information such as one’s full name, date of birth, social security number, address, and financial information with strangers online.
Integrate Antivirus Software
Using antivirus software helps to recognise any threat or malware before it infects the computer system. Never use cracked software as it can pose a serious risk of data loss or malware attack.
Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
VPNs can be used for a variety of purposes, including protecting online privacy, circumventing internet censorship and securing online communications. In fact, VPNs help prevent online tracking and surveillance by encrypting data and hiding the user’s IP address, as well as protecting against cyberattacks and identity theft.
FIGHT AGAINST CYBERCRIME IN TURKEY
Cyber security has started to be included in national security strategies with the spread of information technologies and the increasing use of the internet. In this context, many countries, especially developed countries, and international organisations such as NATO and the EU have produced cyber security strategies.
As a result of the examination of 19 countries’ national cyber security strategies, it is seen that the following common objectives are mentioned in the strategy documents (Luiijf et al. as cited in Klimburg, 2012: 56):
– Ensuring a secure, attack-resistant and reliable cyberspace.
– Promoting economic and social welfare, secure business environment and economic growth [through information systems].
– Controlling the risks inherent in information and communication technologies.
– Making information infrastructures resilient. Klimburg (2012) states that there are five areas that should be taken into account when considering national cyber security. When we look at the existing cyber security strategies, it is seen that these areas are addressed.
The human element is the most important factor in cyber security, as in many areas related to security. No matter how many security measures are taken in a system, there is always a risk of being defeated by vulnerabilities caused by a careless user. According to the study on social engineering attacks conducted by Dimensional Research in 2011, 43% of the IT experts surveyed stated that their businesses were exposed to social engineering attacks, and 48% stated that each social engineering attack cost them an average of 25 thousand dollars. In order to reduce the risk of human-based attacks such as social engineering, employees should be trained and raised awareness on cyber security issues.
CYBERCRIME EXPERT LAWYER
When you experience a victimisation related to cybercrime, you must protect your rights according to the positive (valid) legal rules of the country you are in. As a result of these attacks, you may suffer financial damages and moral damages (such as loss of reputation). In order to eliminate such damages, you should definitely consult a lawyer specialised in cybercrimes.