Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks can affect businesses and organisations – but also you as an individual. Read more about online attacks and how you can protect yourself.
What is a cyberattack?
A cyberattack is a digital attack on computers, IT systems or networks. The aim may be to cause damage, steal information or blackmail for money. These attacks can target individuals as well as businesses, public authorities and organisations.
Examples of cyberattacks
Phishing
Fraudulent emails or messages that attempt to trick the user into revealing passwords or other sensitive information.
Blackmail attacks
Harmful software that encrypts files held by, for example, public authorities or organisations, so that the information is no longer accessible to the organisation. The attacker demands money to unlock the files. In some cases, the attacker steals sensitive information and threatens to publish it unless a ransom is paid.
Distributed denial of service-attack
A website or online service is overwhelmed with traffic from a large number of computers, causing it to stop working or run slowly.
How to protect yourself online
As a individual, it is difficult to prevent disruptions or attacks affecting the IT services you use. However, by protecting your own digital information, you reduce the risk of being affected and, at the same time, contribute to improved digital security across society. A hacker may use individuals' computers to gain access to larger systems.
Phishing and harmful code
Phishing is currently the most common method used by scammers to gain access to passwords or bank and card details.
A scammer using phishing may send emails or text messages in which they try to get you to disclose passwords, card details or account information. By tricking you into clicking on links in the message, the scammer can plant viruses or harmful code on your computer or mobile phone. This, in turn, allows the scammer to access your passwords or accounts.
These messages may look like ordinary emails or text messages containing attractive offers designed to tempt you into clicking on attached links or opening attached files. They often include a message urging you, as the recipient, to act quickly.
How to protect yourself against phishing
- Check the message thoroughly – does it look as it should?
- Check the sender – verify the email address and phone number.
- Do not share your password, card number or account number.
If you suspect that you have been targeted
- Change your login details.
- Block your bank or credit card.
- Report it to the police.
Protect your passwords
Having strong passwords is important to protect your information. It is particularly important to have strong passwords for services such as your email. The longer your password is, the more secure it is, but you should still use different passwords for different services. By using a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters, you further reduce the risk of an unauthorised person managing to crack your password.
Simple passwords, such as names of people or animals, or details that can be linked to you in various ways, should be avoided. These passwords are easier for unauthorised people to figure out.
How to keep your passwords secure
- Never share your passwords.
- Do not write down your passwords.
- Use different passwords for different services.
- Use long passwords.
- Use a password manager
- Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible
Keep your e-ID secure
Many people use e-ID to pay bills or verify their identity online. Your e-ID is comparable to a passport or ID card and should be handled and protected in the same way.
Scammers may try to gain access to your e-ID by calling you and claiming to work for your bank, a government agency or a company, and urging you to log in using your e-ID. You may also receive emails asking you to click on a link and verify your identity using your e-ID.
How to use e-ID securely
- Never give your e-ID details to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.
- Never let anyone else log in using your e-ID on your behalf.
- Hang up if you suspect someone is trying to scam you over the phone – even if they claim to be a relative, from your bank, a company or a government agency.
- Always check what you are signing in the app – cancel if you are unsure.
- Do not trust a caller simply because they have information about you.
If you have been affected
- Contact your bank.
- File a police report.
- Seek support from friends or family.
Back up your data
If your computer, mobile phone or tablet breaks down, is attacked by a virus, or if anything else happens that prevents you from accessing your data, it is important that you have a backup. This means saving a copy of all your important data on another device, such as an USB stick, an external hard drive or a cloud service.
How to back up your data
- Create a backup on a hard drive, a USB stick or in a cloud service.
- Back up frequently – this reduces the risk of your backup becoming attacked by a virus.
- Test your backup – this way you’ll know what to do if you need to restore your data.
- Always disconnect the backup when you’re not using it.
If you’ve experienced fraud or a cybercrime
Contact the police if you’ve been the victim of fraud or another cybercrime.
Sources
Sources
Krisinformation.se gathers information from Swedish authorities. All source pages are in Swedish.