Cybercrime in South Africa is becoming more and more prevalent as hackers become more sophisticated with a resultant spike in cyberattacks on all fronts. In South Africa, when it comes to cyber threats, internet users are often not sufficiently technically alert when it comes to awareness and dealing with phishing attacks and cyberattacks that usually come via email and SMS messages.
It has become more and more risky for businesses sending invoices, banks and investment companies sending correspondence and statements, and especially for individuals when receiving such invoices or communications by email, or via an SMS link, to ensure that details haven’t been compromised on either end of the email communication. Businesses are sending out communications with attachments containing sensitive information which are secured using passwords incorporating account numbers or ID numbers of the recipient. One should always follow up with the company when one receives a communication from them that just doesn’t seem right or contradicts past payment instructions or banking details. 
SMSs are also used as a means by cybercriminals to catch out the unaware, where people are duped into following a provided link in a message, especially one that appears to be authentic and from a trusted source or company.
Below are some ideas that can be used to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.
Education and Heeding Warnings
Everyone needs to be hypersensitive to the threat of cybercrime. Even if a company’s cybersecurity measures are up to scratch and able to be verified, the measures put in place or used by a client to prevent hacking may not be sufficient.
Do your own research and learn about the different types of cybercrimes, and especially how hackers operate. Do you know how to spot a phishing email, or an SMS? Always try to use only a trusted Wi-Fi networks. Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously easy for allowing hackers to access a computer/ tablet or smart phone. One needs to learn how to verify the authenticity of a website and ensure that your computer’s antivirus software is effective and updated.
Scrutinise all email requests for information or payments.
Hackers are notorious for intercepting and altering emails, including PDF documents that are attached to such emails. If you receive instructions from a client via email, call them to verify their request. Request sensitive information by Whats App if possible. Always check the email address as well as the banking account details mentioned in the email as to their authenticity.
Protect yourself. Be vigilant!
Be suspicious if anything in an email just feels “not-quite-right” – perhaps only a cell phone number is given, or a free generic email address (like Gmail) is used, or the wording is somehow “off”. If the email makes you even the slightest bit uneasy, err on the side of caution and investigate further.
check back through an email train to see that it matches in every detail the email address you were given at the start of the correspondence.
Most importantly, never accept notification of any supposed change in payment banking details without visiting in person or phoning the company generating the invoice to check all is in order.
Remember to Click on any link provided with caution. Hackers can pretend to be someone by slightly altering their email address to look like that of a business, an acquaintance or a friend’s email address.
Cybercrime is on the rise – both worldwide and in South Africa – and hackers are using more sophisticated methods to trick people. However, by educating yourself and taking the necessary precautionary measures, you can better protect yourself, your business, and your clients from cybercriminals.
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