Cybercrime: Practical Steps to Protect Your Money and Data

Cybercrime is everywhere — from phishing messages to big cryptocurrency heists. You don’t need to be a tech expert to reduce your risk. This page gives clear, useful steps you can use right now to spot attacks, protect accounts, and report crimes if they happen.

Common cybercrimes to watch for

Phishing: fake emails or messages that ask for passwords, bank details or OTPs. They often look real and rush you to act.

Account takeovers and SIM swaps: attackers get control of your phone number or email to reset passwords and drain accounts.

Ransomware and malware: files or apps that lock your data or steal info after you click a bad link or download a file.

Cryptocurrency hacks: exchanges, wallets or transfers can be targeted. A recent headline example: a major exchange lost $1.1 billion after attackers exploited a transfer using multisig tech. That shows how even complex systems can be vulnerable.

Practical steps to protect yourself

Update everything: keep your phone, apps and browser updated. Updates patch known security holes.

Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager. Don’t reuse logins across sites.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) with an authenticator app, not SMS, whenever possible.

For crypto, prefer hardware wallets or trusted custodians. Before sending funds, verify recipient addresses twice and use small test transfers for large sums.

Check email and message sources. Hover over links to see the real address. If a message pressures you to act now, pause and verify with the company’s official contact.

Back up important files offline. If ransomware hits, a recent offline backup can save you from paying attackers.

Limit what you share publicly. Personal details on social media make social engineering easier for attackers.

Use anti-malware tools and a firewall on devices you use for banking or crypto. Scan new files from unknown sources before opening them.

Consider multisig and reputable custody for high-value crypto holdings. Multisig can be safer, but implement it carefully and verify all signing parties.

Monitor accounts and transactions daily. Quick detection is your best chance to stop losses.

Act fast if something goes wrong: change passwords, revoke active sessions, and contact your bank or exchange immediately.

How to report and preserve evidence

Save everything: screenshots, emails, transaction hashes, IP addresses, and times. These details help investigators and support teams.

Contact the platform first — exchanges and banks can freeze accounts or reverse suspicious transfers if you report quickly.

File a police report. In South Africa, contact your local SAPS station and ask for the cybercrime unit. Also report scams to SABRIC (for bank scams) and to your financial regulator if money was lost.

If crypto was stolen, give investigators the tx IDs and addresses. Share any phishing emails and logs with law enforcement and the platform’s security team.

Don’t pay attackers without legal advice — payment doesn’t guarantee recovery and can complicate investigations.

Stay informed and talk about it. Share what you learn with family and colleagues so others don’t fall for the same traps.

Cybercrime changes fast, but small, consistent habits protect you more than waiting for the next big headline. Start with one step today: enable MFA and update your main devices.