{"id":429177,"date":"2011-05-24T03:46:31","date_gmt":"2011-05-24T03:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/24\/coming-to-grips-with-cyber-crime\/"},"modified":"2011-05-24T03:46:31","modified_gmt":"2011-05-24T03:46:31","slug":"coming-to-grips-with-cyber-crime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/24\/coming-to-grips-with-cyber-crime\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming to Grips With Cyber Crime"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Esmond Shahonya<\/p>\n

23 May 2011<\/p>\n

\n

Nairobi \u2014 As the power of computers becomes the backbone in modern life, there is a growing virtual crime-land that puts individuals and firms at risk.<\/p>\n

According to a recent report by Symantec, cyber-criminals are using all possible digital platforms to infiltrate networks and attack with tainted software.<\/p>\n

Symantec reported more than 286 billion variants of malware, some of which were responsible for 3.1 billion attacks on computers in 2010.<\/p>\n

The company identified users of social media and mobile devices among key targets.<\/p>\n

The issue of increasing vulnerabilities in the social-media scene is also echoed by a report released by Microsoft.<\/p>\n

Users of Facebook, Tagged and other social media are more prone to phishing attacks and fraud as criminals resort to social engineering as a means to achieving their wicked goals.<\/p>\n

Social media are fertile grounds for cyber-criminals with phishing representing 84.5 per cent of cyber-crimes in December up from 8.3 per cent at the start of 2010, according to Microsoft.<\/p>\n

Given the sophistication, it is sometimes tricky for individuals and organisations to remain perfectly safe in the virtual world.<\/p>\n

The situation is worsened by digital loopholes in networks of companies or weak security set-ups.<\/p>\n

The dilemma most enterprises are facing is tackling the mutations in cyber-crime. Cyber-criminals capitalise on the anonymity of the internet and virtual flexibility in modern computing.<\/p>\n

Tech-savvy criminals complicate old crimes by initiating sophisticated digital moves. The modern fraudster might not take you to secluded places for prayers of multiplying money.<\/p>\n

Instead, he will ‘phish’ for your sensitive information and use it to clean-up the phone or bank account.<\/p>\n

A modern day bank robber might be your next door neighbour armed with only a computer; or the employee who walks into your office with a simple flash-disk; or unscrupulous worker with access to network passwords.<\/p>\n

In the financial sector, revelation by Deloitte shows that the Kenyan banks lost 2.96 billion shillings last year courtesy of tech-savvy fraudsters.<\/p>\n

Notably, while improved automation which utilises the power of ICTs has been an enabler in the banking sector, the flipside of adoption of technology is reflected in the way criminal activities are executed swiftly and technically.<\/p>\n

Tech-savvy criminals are a bane to modern day ICT infrastructure since they can silently wreak havoc and leave in their wake untold damages or losses.<\/p>\n

Legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Notably, anonymity and borderless nature of the Internet demands another dimension in tackling crimes from the cyber world.<\/p>\n

The trouble of prosecuting smart criminals masquerading as ordinary users in cyberspace has all along been a challenge to nations, especially in emerging markets like Africa.<\/p>\n

That forms a genesis of run-away cyber crimes. Cyber laws in today’s technology driven economies can only be effective if they critically address all aspects related to ICTs and their use.<\/p>\n

Having the laws intact is one thing and implementing them amicably is another issue. A weak legislation, poor monitoring and non-proactive approach at large are a recipe for trouble.<\/p>\n

From petty criminals to dreaded techies, the other side of cyber space technology is a world of virtual crime.<\/p>\n

Remedy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any technological evolution always comes with real benefits and real challenges. The virtual world behind ICTs portends real challenges to governments and individuals.<\/p>\n

And to some governments the legislative mechanisms are a lame duck considering the fast pace at which technology is transforming the way people conduct daily business and life in general.<\/p>\n

Modern technology makes life happier and more fulfilling while at the same time it opens up avenues for sophisticated crime.<\/p>\n

Tackling ICT crimes is incomplete without proactive measures from the end-users themselves.<\/p>\n

From the simple user of a mobile phone to corporate bodies or companies using ICT networks, the basic facts involve taking responsibility of your actions and adhering to substantial security measures.<\/p>\n

The writer is a Telecommunication Engineer.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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