Protecting yourself from Cybercrime

Protecting yourself against cybercrime is crucial in today's digital age. Here are some practical tips to help safeguard your personal information:

1. Monitor Your Accounts

Regularly check your bank statements and report any suspicious transactions to your bank. Enable SMS or email notifications for outgoing payments. Look for any unauthorised transactions and report them immediately.

2. Install Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Software

Use reputable solutions to detect and block malicious software. Keep the software updated and run regular scans.

3. Be Cautious of Phishing Attempts

• Fraudsters may attempt to impersonate Cell C or other trusted institutions. Do not share personal information over email or phone unless you are certain of the recipient's legitimacy. Be cautious of unexpected messages or calls claiming to be from banks or service providers. Verify the sender's identity before responding or clicking on any links. Please be reminded that SAFPS, Cell C, and legitimate financial institutions, will never ask you for your password, PIN, or OTP via email, SMS, or phone calls.
• Identify Red Flags: Poor grammar or generic greetings (like "Dear Customer") in emails. Urgency or threats to suspend accounts or services. Links that don't match Cell C's official website URL (hover over the link to check, but do not click).

4. Monitor Your Credit Reports

Regularly check your credit reports with major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, XDS, and Compuscan) for any unusual or unauthorised activity.

5. Strengthen Device Security

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all online accounts, especially financial services. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for each account.

6. Keep Operating Systems and Apps Up to Date

Protect against vulnerabilities by ensuring your operating system, applications, and antivirus software are always up to date. Enable automatic updates.

7. Update Passwords:

If you use the same password across multiple platforms, consider updating it with a strong, unique password. Create complex passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. Change your passwords regularly.

8. Activate Fraud Alerts

Many banks offer fraud protection services–consider enabling these alerts on your account.

9. Be Cautious with Emails

Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or suspicious emails. Be wary of phishing attempts that try to steal your personal information.

10. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Use a strong password for your Wi-Fi network. Enable network encryption.

11. Use a Full-Service Internet Security Suite

Consider using comprehensive security software that includes antivirus, firewall, and identity theft protection.

12. Protect Your Mobile Devices

Install security apps and keep your devices updated. Avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources.

13. Be Social Media Savvy

Adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms to limit the visibility of your personal information

14. Backup Your Data

Regularly back up important data to an external drive or cloud storage. Encrypt sensitive files to add an extra layer of protection

15. Educate Yourself and Others

Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and scams