A teen in New Zealand allegedly hacked 1.3 million computers and stole millions of funds from multiple bank accounts. ABC News reported that this18-year-old cybercrime perpetrator has since been captured and arrested.
Teenagers are typically vulnerable to making wrong decisions. Hence, do not be surprised to find out that your teens do get themselves into trouble at times. The Telegraph revealed survey results indicating four out of ten teens as victims of fraudulent transactions online. More than 41 percent of young people, 18 years old and below, were scammed off their money on the Internet, according to the results of the study. Teens have released PIN and bank information without suspecting the perpetrators' real intention beforehand.
IFS University College's Alison Pask argued that the youth are just plain careless when it comes to protecting privacy online.
"Young people live their lives using technology but they put things out there for the world to see without realising that what you put on Facebook or Whatsapp doesn't disappear. They think they are having private conversations," Pask said.
Pask made this analysis on the premise behind the ease of accessing other people's passwords online these days. "Teenagers give out details of their brothers, sisters or parents and a lot of people design their passwords based on that simple information," she pointed out.
On a final note, Pask thought that, "The paradox is that children appear to be excellent with technology but they don't seem to understand the dangers."
For parents' reference, below is a partial list of tips to avoid cybercrime, as posted on Rcmp-grc.gc.ca:
1. Strong Passwords for Use Only
You're in for an encounter with an untoward incident once you let others successfully guess your password(s). To protect financial and other confidential data, choose passwords that are unique. Remember, it's your protection that'll ultimately prevail in the end.
2. Protect Your Gadget Desktops with Passwords
It's always better to be safe than sorry. For this reason, you have to be prepared for laptop or tablet theft in case it does happen.
3. Avoid Giving Personal Information to People You Just Met
Be cautious when giving trust away. You might find this hard to do at first. However, the benefits are all worth it when you see yourself safe and sound.
