Christ Well Church Manselton- Visit from TARIAN

Today our colleagues from TARIAN visited a local group who meet at Christ Well Church Manselton on a Tuesday. 

A talk was delivered by Steve Benson Davies from Regional Cyber & Fraud 3P Engagement Team. Everyone found the discussion useful. 

What is Cyber Crime?

Cyber crime is a term used to describe two closely linked yet distinct types of criminal activity, cyber-dependent crime and cyber-enabled crime.

Cyber-dependent crime or ‘pure’ cyber crime covers offences that can only be committed using computers, computer networks or other forms of information communication technology (ICT). For example, hacking into networks or spreading viruses and malware.

Cyber-enabled crime covers more traditional crimes which have been increased in their scale or reach by the use of computers, computer networks or other forms of ICT. For example, fraud or scams, blackmail and sexual exploitation.

Cyber Crime Attack Methods

Online Scams

Usually take the form of spam emails or online ads that offer promises of rewards or large sums of money, but in reality, deploy malware or steal data when the link is clicked.

Social Engineering

Social engineering sees criminals contacting their targets via phone or email, usually posing as a customer service agent or law enforcement agent in order to gain trust and appear credible. This is to try and persuade their target to hand over their credentials (such as usernames or passwords) and data, so that they can sell the data or set up accounts in the target’s name. Social engineering can also take place in person, with criminals leaving infected memory sticks lying around, or looking over the shoulders of their targets and watching them enter their credentials.

Cyberstalking

Criminals will harass their targets online and send them unwanted messages on social media and email. Cyber-stalkers will often intimidate the victim using information they have found on them by searching online. This could include, for instance, their social media friend list, their address or numberplate.

Phishing

This type of attack involves hackers sending malicious email attachments or URLs to users to either gain access to their accounts / computers, or to steal their personal and financial information. Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their approach and their emails can appear, on first glance, to have come from reputable sources such as banks or delivery companies.

Viruses and Spyware

Viruses are programmes which have been written to enter a computer and damage files or data. Viruses can gain access via email attachments, downloads or memory sticks. Spyware is installed in a similar way but collects information on the computer user and sends it back to the cybercriminal. It can also install further malicious programmes.

Protect yourself online

It can feel overwhelming to have to take precautions online, but the majority of cyber attacks are not targeted. Instead, they are the result of a wide-cast net, and it is far better to take some basic precautions rather than risk your valuable data and potential financial losses. Please visit the TARIAN website What is Cyber Crime? - Tarian for some useful tips. 

Report an Incident

Incidents of fraud or cybercrime can be reported to Report Fraud 24/7. But if you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm, dial 999 now. UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud

If you know of any other local groups who would like the team to visit, please contact PCSO JONES who will look to arrange if possible.