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Tom Muleya
Fraud Insight

Digital technological advancement has vastly revolutionised how we conduct our business.

It has brought about many opportunities, ushering in ease of communication and doing business.

By just one internet click, you enter into a world of endless possibilities, and you are able to bring the whole world into your pocket. Just as they are many opportunities available on cyber space and the internet, there are many dangers associated with interaction with cyber space as cyber criminals are maximizing on this fluid platform for personal monetary gain. It is therefore important that all internet and smart phone users practice ‘smart clicking’ as users are a click away from being victims of cyber fraud.

The practice of smart internet clicking is both preventive and proactive. The following are some of the general ways of preventing or minimizing cyber-attacks that enhance the practice of smart clicking;

When you go online to transact, you have just entered an insecure site. As a preventive measure, avoid being trigger happy and wantonly clicking that may result in you being phished, hacked or spammed.

Use strong passwords.  At times your computer or smartphone may be used by your children or strangers that may execute a negligent click.

Ensure to change your passwords regularly and use a complex password by using a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols. A password management application can help to keep your passwords locked down.

Manage your social media settings. Ensure you keep your personal and private information locked down. Make sure you don’t share your information publicly such as posting sensitive information on social media.

The implementation of cyber security awareness training for every employee across board.

Talk and teach your children about the internet threats or cyber-attacks. Make sure your children know that they can be hacked on cyber space or internet if they neglect the practice of smart clicking. Teach them about acceptable behavior and use of internet. This also involves keeping your continuous eye on your children so that they remain protected from internet breaches and threats.

Take responsibility and take measures to help protect your-self against identity theft. Identity theft may occur when you make a negligent click resulting in the identity scammer to obtain your personal data and use it for personal gain.

Do not respond to messages or emails soliciting for your personal details to fix account.

Think smart clicking. One of the best God-given resources available to all mankind is the ability to think. Remember fraudsters take their time to think in order to come up with the best fraudulent schemes that cannot be easily detected. So you need to think about smart clicking too when performing online transaction.

Take responsibility of yourself and practice smart clicking. Remember, just one negligent click may be disastrous.

For your feedback, WhatsApp line: 0772 764 043, or e-mail:[email protected]. Tom Muleya is a Detective Assistant Inspector working under the Criminal Investigations Department. Harare. He is also a member of the National Cyber Security Taskforce, Zimbabwe.