With the spread of smartphone and online application use, any one of us could fall victim to cyber crime while immersed in our lives on the Internet.

What is cyber crime?

“Cyber crime” is defined as crime that committed through the Internet or targets computer or electronic data.

（e.g.）　                            ・Internet banking/money transfer fraud

・Internet auction fraud

・Crime involving computer viruses, etc.

（Characteristics）　    ・Easy for criminals to assume different identities or impersonate others

・Hard to trace

・Can be committed from anywhere in the world, criminals are not restricted by time or location

Last year, the number of Internet banking fraud cases was the highest number per year on record.  One of these cases involved losses of more than 15 million yen. There was also a large number of Internet pop-up based fraud and Internet auction fraud cases.

The Internet is open to all, which increases the risk of fraud. When using the Internet, keep the following in mind.

○　Always install anti-virus software and keep it updated

○　Be sure to install the latest versions of your operating system (OS) and install security patches for your applications.

○　Do not reuse usernames and passwords

Please keep in mind that the aforementioned are basic safety measures, and that computer viruses can also be sent via email. Do not follow links, open emails with suspicious content, or download attachments from email addresses that you do not trust.

Also, there have been cases where individuals have ordered items through fraudulent websites and not received the goods they were promised. If you are ordering from an online vendor for the first time, we recommend looking into the site’s reputation and business information before making a purchase.

Be aware that the Internet, like motor vehicles, is both a convenient tool that enriches our lives, and something that can pose a great risk to us if we are not careful. Please take this opportunity to ensure that your computer and smartphone are secure. Take necessary measures to secure your electronic devices now to avoid falling victim to cyber crime.