the world is turning digital as more and more people start spending the majority of their online. Be it playing online games, social media, watching YouTube videos, or streaming films, there are a number of avenues for users now to spend their time on the internet. Not just that, platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed have even allowed people to find jobs online. While it’s all well and good when it comes to the general public using the internet, there is always a flip side to the coin where some malicious people use the internet with the intent of harming others and committing cyber crimes. It looks like the cases of cyber crimes have reached a new peak according to a new Mumbai Crime report.
Cyber crime hits new peak
As a big chunk of people become tech-savvy and use the internet for their benefit in an ethical manner, the number of cyber crimes has also hit a new peak. The registration of cyber offences, which include online frauds under the pretext of offering job opportunities, gifts, and/or payment of electricity bills or EMIs rose by a whopping 63.7%. In total, the number of reported cyber crimes rose to a total of 4,718 in 2022 when compared to 2021’s 2,883 cases, according to an official report by the Mumbai Crime branch. If compared to the pre-COVID period in 2019, the cybercrime cases in Mumbai rose by an alarming 112%.
During the COVID period, the majority of people be it students, working individuals or the general public made their way to the internet. Post the pandemic times, crimes such as part-time job fraud, crypto scams, insurance fraud, sextortion, and electricity bill fraud have risen significantly.
So what can you do at an individual level to save yourself from falling prey to cyber crimes? For starters, set a strong password! Make sure your passwords do not include your birthday, phone number, Astro sign, partner’s name, etc. Besides having a strong password, users can also opt for 2-step verification for their social media accounts. Using a VPN while surfing the internet is also advised. The most important to not entertain any calls that ask for your banking details. If you wish to report a cyber crime then you call the governing authorities at – 1930.