Criminology Professor Shares Tips to Prevent Hacking and Cybercrime Attacks

In honor of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the University sat down with Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology Professor Adam Bossler who also studies why people hack into computers and commit cybercrimes. Cybercrime has been dubbed one of the fastest growing areas of crime where criminals exploit the speed, anonymity and convenience of the Internet to commit criminal acts. Bossler shares a few tips and tricks to prevent Internet hacking and cybercrime attacks. What is cybercrime? Cybercrime can be seen as using a computer or specialized knowledge of cyberspace to commit a crime. It ranges from identity theft fraud or online fraud, to violent online crimes like harassment and stalking. It can even include attacks against critical infrastructures. What are some daily activities that we can do to prevent hackers from accessing our personal information? Protect your personal passwords, private photos and personal identifiable information (PII). With the recent celebrity attacks, don’t take private photos that you wouldn’t want shared. Even though a user may delete the photos, hackers are still able to access them on other servers or in the cloud. In addition, carefully monitor your credit card and bank statements. If you see fraudulent charges, contact the credit card company to immediately resolve them. Never wait. How does Social Media play a role in identify theft? Social media plays a major role in opening up oneself to emotional trauma and identity theft. Be careful of what you share online. Also, be mindful of current or future employers that could monitor your profile. If it’s not something you’re comfortable sharing with someone outside of your circle, then don’t post it. With many of the recent cyber attacks on major retailers and celebrities, do you think that Cybercrime is on the rise? It’s hard to tell. I don’t necessarily think cybercrime is on the rise, but more so an increase in cybercrime reporting. As technology continues to evolve, it will continue to play a larger role in criminal activity. For more information on cybercrime and cyber security awareness visit Information Technology Services at its.georgiasouthern.edu/infosec.