PHILIPSBURG:--- Lately, there have been reports of cybercrime in Sint Maarten. This may include simple scams via the internet or carefully executed BEC fraud, as well as other forms of cybercrime also occur.
Internet scams occur when goods are purchased online and paid for in advance but never delivered. Therefore ensure to always enter into a legitimate arrangement with the other party concerning payment and delivery. This will prevent a lot of resentment.
BEC-fraude is Business E-mail Comprise fraud. For example, a criminal organization gains access to the email address and personal login details of an employee, often a director of a company, subsequently a false email is sent to another employee, often an employee in finance, with instructions to transfer a sum of money to a certain bank account.
The damage can be wide scale. BEC fraud can be counteracted by training employees to be alert for the vulnerabilities of cybercrime. It is also important to have internal procedures in place for transferring large amounts of money. Always have employees double check whether an instruction did, in fact, come from the mentioned colleague.
Here are some general tips to help prevent cybercrime:
•Use a strong password, such as a long phrase that is easy to remember, but difficult for a hacker to find out.
•Ensure your computer and smartphone are secure and install security updates as soon as they are available.
•Use a virus scanner, firewall and script blockers. Script blockers are applications that stop scripts that may contain a virus.
•Don't just click on a link, especially if the link is received from an unfamiliar email address.
•Never give out your login details. After all, a company would not ask for this, but a hacker would.
•Backup your personal files regularly (e.g. photos, videos, documents, etc.)
•Change the password to your Wi-Fi network regularly to prevent unauthorized use.
•If it is too good to be true, it is! In summary, always stay alert!
The Public Prosecution Service has devoted a Public Prosecutor and a Public Prosecutor's Secretary to the fight against cybercrime. If you have any questions or concerns about cybercrime feel free to contact the Public Prosecution Service.
