African Cyber Crime On The Rise

This was written by Brynn Koeppen on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 13:50.

South Africa has seen a steady rise in online phishing crimes with the increase of online services, most notably online banking. Internet attacks have become more common than direct, mobile attacks because of South Africa’s move towards a technology based society. It is also much easier to reserve anonymity online. In less developed areas of Africa, classic crime is still the biggest threat.

According to a PC World report, the largest Sub-Saharan African bank Absa has provided customers with software to prevent more cyber attacks and malware of  its customer’s private information. 

East Africa has not been plagued by cyber crime as much as South Africa because it  does not have  full-fledge online banking. Yet mobile crime has increased in East Africa with fake ‘processing fees’ and promises of monetary imbustments. 

The Communications Commission of Kenya has developed a program to make citizens more aware of the mobile and online cyber threats as Africa expands its internet access.