Edmonton – This September, your Alberta RCMP is providing tips to help avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.

Cybercrime refers to criminal activity in which the Internet and information technologies, such as computers, tablets, and mobile devices, have a substantial role in the commission of a criminal offence.

To help avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime, practice the below tips:

• Use strong passwords: Avoid simple, easily guessable passwords and use a unique password for each account. Consider using a password manager that can store and manage your passwords.

• Enable multi-factor authentication: Add extra security to your accounts by enabling multi-factor authentication whenever available.

• Update software: Keep your operating system, browsers, and applications up to date to avoid security vulnerabilities.

• Secure your computer: Activate your firewall, use anti-virus/malware software, and block spyware attacks by installing and updating anti-spyware software.

• Secure your network: Secure your home’s wireless network. Do not use public Wi-Fi for financial or corporate transactions.

• Be social media savvy: Ensure your social networking profiles are set to private. Be careful about what you post online.

• Protect your e-identity: Be cautious about giving personal information on the Internet. Make sure that websites are secure and that you’ve enabled privacy settings.

• Avoid scams: Always think before clicking a link or file from an unknown origin. Don’t feel pressured by emails or messages. Verify the source of each message and never reply to emails requesting user IDs and passwords.

If you believe you may be a victim of fraud, or are currently being targeted by fraud, please report it to your local law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501. Instances of compromised personal and/or financial information should be reported to your bank and credit card company. To learn more about the various types of frauds and scams, please visit the CAFC’s scam webpage.

For more cybercrime prevention information and resources, please follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta, X @RCMPAlberta, and on YouTube @RCMP-GRC Alberta.