OPP targets online crime during October
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are doing their part to enhance public safety and awareness and mitigate the many threats posed by cyber criminals during Cyber Security Awareness Month.
In 2015, the top 10 cyber scams earned criminals an estimated $1.2-billion from Canadian victims. Put another way, around 80,000 people unwittingly fall prey to these scams every day – equivalent to the population of Sarnia or Peterborough.
During October, the OPP are joining police services and experts from across the country to promote public awareness and help prevent all Canadians from becoming victims of online crime.
While engaging in a public awareness media and social media campaign, the OPP’s own cyber strategy is spreading the word among its workforce to ensure OPP information systems and data remain secure while building capacity to support modern investigations.
This year’s OPP Cyber Security Awareness Month campaign will focus on four topics including:
- free Wi-Fi use/password protection;
- phishing/ransomware (personal/corporate) scams;
- email attachments; and
- online child safety.
“We know OPP members have positive impacts on public safety every day through investigations and our various community safety initiatives. Everyone within our organization also has a critical role to play to secure OPP data and information systems as we implement the OPP Cyber Strategy. Everyone will receive training that explains cyber threats and teaches cyber hygiene practices, which they can then relay to their own families, friends and business contacts,” states OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes.
“Most criminal investigations include some form of device-based or internet-based digital evidence. The recovery and management of digital evidence is a vital part of nearly every OPP investigation. Based upon the pillars of prevention, response and support, the cyber strategy’s goal is to position the OPP to manage risks, reduce threats and minimize harm caused by crime involving digital technologies,” adds deputy commissioner Rick Barnum of the OPP Investigations and Organized Crime unit.
For helpful tips and links, follow the OPP on Twitter (@OPP_News), Facebook and Instagram and using the hashtags #CyberSecurity, #CyberAware and #OPPTips.
If you or someone you know suspects they’ve been a victim of digital or online crime, contact local police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, report it to the OPP online at http://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=132 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) at https://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
