Don't become a victim of cybercrime - 3 Oct 2011

By Evan-Lee Courie

In the recently released 2011 Norton Cyber Crime Report, it was revealed that 431 million adults worldwide have fallen victims to cybercrime in the past year. At the sixth annual meeting of Internet Governance Forum, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya, 27-30 September, it was brought to attention that cybercrime is on the increase and vulnerable groups are being targeted.

In South Africa, cybercrime has reached significant proportions after the death of a women who was allegedly gang-raped after responding to a job ad she found online.

In a most recent case, a man known as the "Facebook rapist" is being sought by South African police for over 30 crimes, including murder. He is known for telling young, beautiful women that he can secure them jobs in the modelling industry and then swindles them out of cellphones, laptops and cash. In 'Beware of job hunting and employment scams in classifieds', some insight is given on how not to fall victim to cybercrime.

For the second time in two weeks, South African minister of communications, Roy Padayachie evoked the issue of cybersecurity, which he said was no longer a heresy, but a real challenge. This he said at the 42nd International Institute of Communications (IIC) conference, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, which aims at discussing, among others, issues of broadband development and digital services.

The Internet has made most things a lot easier in the world, but has also opened doors to many evils. I urge you to be extra cautious when setting up an online identity and to be alert at all times.

PS: If you didn't already know, Bizcommunity have launched 16 new portals and newsletters, and if you are interested in submitting news take a look at our guide "How to contribute to Bizcommunity, from op-ed pieces to news".

Safe surfing!

Evan-Lee Courie (@evan1985)

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Evan-Lee Courie

Evan-Lee Courie

Evan-Lee Courie is the former Editor: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com.

He has completed a BA in English Literature and Communication Science through UNISA and completed several online courses through UCT /GetSmarter including Internet Marketing, PhotoShop and Social Media.

At the end of 2015, he embarked on a journey to South Korea to teach English as a Foreign Language to young learners and returned to Cape Town, South Africa in 2017.

He returned to Bizcommunity.com in August 2018 as Group Editor for the ITC, Automotive and Logistics portals.

In August 2019, he launched the Entrepreneurship news portal at Bizcommunity.

In November 2020, he was appointed as Editor: Marketing & Media

 
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