EFFECTS OF CYBERCRIME IN SOCIALMEDIA

EFFECTS OF CYBERCRIME IN SOCIALMEDIA

Cybercrime is a criminal activity carried out through a computer or the internet. The grandest forms Of cybercrime are online identity harassment, cyberstalking, phishing scams, and privacy invasions. Cybercrime activities are on the rise because criminals no longer need to be physically present at the scene of a crime. The internet’s speed convenience and anonymity are amongst added advantages to this crime

This article will significantly yield on indicating the effects of cybercrime on social media at large. It will also point out how cybercrimes can.

Cybercrime has breached social media networks, thus brutally invading privacy. Cybercrime, by itself, is the abuse of human rights. It is punishable by law as it depends on the type and the extent of damage a fraud has caused. Section 67A pertains imprisonment to a degree of five years as a verdict given for cybercrimes. Internet moguls have made this crime easy and possible at any state of amassing wealth, commonly known as hackers. They gain access to personal information, including financial information in people’s accounts. Access to an individual’s account is possible through suspicious uploaded links or downloads, which they usually siphon personal details.[Beth Hendricks; master’s degree in integrated marketing communications, cybercrime.]

Social Media has left a considerable negative landmark as cybercrime has corrupted it to make a massive loss in the stock exchange market. The damage summed up to a staggering $130 billion in a single event. Cybercriminals allegedly had gained access to Twitter accounts of the associated press and posted a misleading news story of terrorism in White house, Washinton DC. This news somewhat made a tremendous loss.

The ability to interact anonymously and software enabling incognito mode has made cybercrime go wild progressively. Malware infection is caused by clicking of links one doesn’t recognize and wants to out of curiosity. Clicking these links increases the vulnerability of one’s data, and no sooner than later, the malware takes over the computer system and installs a virus in a machine.

Social engineering is another effect cybercrime has on social media. They steal people’s identity for personal or financial gain. Cybercriminals gather information about a particular status and then use that information to gain access to an individual’s personal and financial details. The outcome puts a whole firm or an individual at risk of being frauded, which may cause a significant setback to an entity operating majorly through network sites. In a nutshell, it cuts a deep dent in an entity’s stability.

Networking sites that are so popular such as Facebook and Instagram have grown in the impact of influence and communication both locally and globally. At this exponential rate, cyber offenders commit cybercrimes in social media, posing a threat to the privacy of individuals. It is also a threat to soberness of national security as it may trigger wrong motives once a wrong hand gets into doing.

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Social media sites get used to hurt others. Cyberbullying is increasingly common among teenagers. About one-third of teenagers find their personal information forwarded or posted without their consent. Such violations affect their mental growth leading to irreversible adverse actions such as suicide. Study research shows that teenagers reporting cyberbullying were 11.5more likely to undertake suicide than those physically bullied with an 8.5 likeliness.

It also creates a false flag attack that tricks a user into revealing personal authentication details under the guise of a site. Upon changing of passwords, the cybercriminal steals the username and password and takes financial information and details of the user and at large mutual friends connected to the user, thus making it a spreading chain. Users should remain alert to any urgent request to reset anything from their accounts and platforms.

Cybercrime continues to cause adverse financial impacts on economies. Europe’s economy is indeed suffering as a significant percentage of its gross domestic product is affected. The economy decline thrives due to the easy accessibility of tools that infiltrate financial systems, new technologies, and the level of sophisticated techniques employed by cybercriminals. Intellectual property is so valuable. In this era, it is costly doing business with low or reduced privacy levels.

Cybercriminals have chosen to focus on social media platforms because these sites make it very easy to share and pass on just about anything. Security researchers show social media platforms, on average, have 20% more methods to rip off consumers inconsiderately than any other website. In the past years,cryptojacking (taking over another computer’s computing resources to mine cryptocurrency)has emerged as one way to monetize malware. As a result, one of the top sites inhabiting cryptocurrency is social media platforms. There is more reason to remain more vigilant on such websites.

The illegal sale of prescription drugs tagged as a potential $1.9 billion opportunity for cybercrimes. Cannabis has been legalized in certain countries, and new scams involve it as money wired through identity accounts owned by social engineers who breach the system to their advantage. As a result, it affects young talented minds in the field of technology as they are unaware of used as pawns to global money laundering activities.

Cyberstalking, harassment, and blackmailing also can’t be left behind as fraudsters gain access to a user’s private details. The blackmailing occurs where the cybercriminal demands payment from the victim as ransom. In cases where the victim adamantly refuses to comply, the cybercriminal, in turn, posts sensitive personal emails, thus tarnishes a reputation of a personality. Fraudsters also use identity accounts to raise fake charity soliciting for funds. Cumulative work for cheats as they use bogus accounts where the money is generously donated by those with plight for the less fortunate.

Cybercrime is a big menace that should severely be punished as eradicating; it is a long term undertaking. A nation can not break even with heightened rates of cybercrime. Studies show that the majority of the cybercrimes are carried out by the youth. However, there are numerous ways proposed to prevent this wildfire. There is also an urgent need to orient and empower teenagers since they are majorly involved.

REFERENCES; Southern New Hampshire University[2003-2017Research]

Maitnami, O.Ogulnere, S., and Ayinde S.(2013).Impact of cybercrimes.

Beth Hendricks-Master’s degree in integrated marketing communication, cybercrimes

TraceSecurity, service and software company; Baton, Louisiana, United States

Neil Marr and Tim Field-Author, Death of Playtime Bullycide

Bromium Report-University of Surrey, United Kingdom

MC Afee’s-Chief scientist, Raj Samani