The OPP warn that cybercriminals continue to exploit human and technological vulnerabilities leading to billions of dollars lost to cybercrime every year.
As digital technology advances, the cyber realm becomes easier for criminals to exploit and extort victims. Two of the many types of cybercrime are phishing and ransomware.
Phishing is a crime that targets victims by simulating a legitimate message from a bank, government department or some other organization, in an attempt to get confidential information that can be used for criminal purposes.
A ransomware attack occurs when a cybercriminal infects a victim’s computer systems with malware that encrypts the data on those systems making them inaccessible and unusable without a decryption key. Cybercriminals will then demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key.
If you or someone you know suspects they have been a victim of phishing or ransomware, or any digital or online cybercrime, contact your local police service or local OPP detachment, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or p3tips.com.
