Question 7

Cyber Security

Top 5 Cybersecurity risks in South Africa

• Ransomware
• The internet of things
• Cyber-espionage
• Increase in cyber theft
• Insecure passwords

• Ransomware – a ransom has to be paid first by the user for them to access their computer.
• The internet of things – when you are connected to the internet with a device there is a risk of your personal details being obtained.
• Cyber-espionage – when they get information on the internet to be used by the government.
• Cyber theft – when your financial details are stolen from the internet i.e. credit card details.
• Insecure passwords – they get your password based on the things you like or if you have been using the same password for other things too.

This can be avoided by not replying to email addresses you are not similar with because it can be a hacker trying to obtain your personal details. Do not open attachments from email addressed because it can be a virus or a worm in order to obtain your personal information. Ensure that you use a secured website because some of them are fake and almost identical to the real websites. Do not give out personal information over the phone someone might have hacked your phone and is listening to your conversations. Use a strong password and add numbers or symbols in your password in order for it not to be easy to be guessed by anyone. Install an anti-virus software on your computer in order for it not to be easy to hack your computer and will notify you when someone is tempering with your computer.