Cybercrime costs Canadians $1.4 billion

Cybercrime is no joke and it's big business for nefarious hackers looking to steal data, money, or otherwise. According to the latest tally in one security software vendor's annual report on the subject, there were 8.3 million cybercrime victims in Canada in the past year, costing a total of C$1.4 billion.

Norton by Symantec's annual "Norton Cybercrime Report", states the direct costs associated with global consumer cybercrime is US$110 billion over the past 12 months. In Canada, it is estimated that more than 46 per cent of people fell victim to cybercrime in that timeframe, suffering on average C$169 each in direct financial losses. That number is US$197 globally.

It's estimated that every second, 18 adults become a victim of cybercrime, resulting in more than one-and-a-half million cybercrime victims each day on a global scale. And the Norton report shows there's an increase in "new" forms of cybercrime, such as those found on social networks or mobile devices. To that end, 16 per cent of Canadians admit to have been a victim of social or mobile cybercrime in the past 12 months and alarmingly, 76 per cent of Canuck mobile users don't use a security solution for their mobile device.

"Acts of cybercrime today are not the same as they were years ago," Lynn Hargrove, director, consumer solutions, Symantec Canada, said in a statement. "Before, cybercriminals wanted notoriety, they wanted you to know you'd been had, but they've evolved over the years. If they can behave silently, they know they can live longer on your machine and continue to carry out their malicious activity."

If you suspect you may be a victim of any technological crime, consult the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's website for helpful resources dealing with it. If you think you've been subjected to an online scam, see the RCMP's site on scams and fraud for help. Moreover, visit the federal government's Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for information and help dealing with fraud.

Cyber-security tips

• Don't rely on firewalls alone for protection. Whether at work or at home, be aware online threats are constantly evolving. Particularly now here in the age of mobility and social media, your personal and work data is much more vulnerable to malicious threats.

• Install antivirus software and keep it up to date. Would you speed down the highway in a car without wearing a seatbelt and with your eyes closed? Of course you wouldn't, it's not safe. So don't surf without having modern, up-to-date security software installed on all of your computing devices including smartphones and tablets.

• Be on the lookout for online scams and don't open suspicious emails. Avoid clicking on strange links in online pop-up windows such as those offering a "free virus scan". Never share your personal banking, credit card, or other information via email even when responding to a legitimate looking email from your financial institution. When in doubt, call your bank.

• Don't click on a link embedded in a text message from unknown sources. The Norton report says nearly one-third (31 per cent) of mobile users received a text message from someone they didn't know requesting that they click on an embedded link or dial an unknown number to retrieve a voicemail.

• Always use complex passwords and change your passwords frequently. Also ensure access to your mobile device is password-protected. Don't make it easy on the bad guys if your smartphone or tablet gets lifted.

• Make sure your browser is secured before sharing personal data online. Before entering sensitive personal information, such as banking details online, make sure there's a closed padlock icon in the top left corner of your browser's address bar. If it's not locked, don't divulge your info. And get into the habit of clearing your browser's cache and surfing history at the end of each online session.

• Keep your computer's operating system up to date. Be it a desktop computer or a mobile device, operating systems are periodically updated to keep up with changing technology requirements and to fix any security holes.

• Turn your computer off. In our "always-on" connected world many folks may opt to leave their systems turned on so they're ready for action at a moment's notice. This isn't a good idea as leaving your system on 24/7 may render it susceptible to an attack. Severing an attacker's connection by shutting down your computer may help prevent the spread of spyware or malicious bots.