The upcoming festive season could see an increase in cybercriminal activity and online fraud - as financial, law enforcement and banking experts warned at a press briefing in Budapest.
On 20th November, a press briefing was held about the CyberShield project, which was launched two years ago in cooperation with several organisations (Hungarian Banking Association, MNB, NGM, IM, Hungarian State Treasury, SZTFH, NMHH, NVSZ, NKI, ORFK). At the event, which was well received by the press, one of the points made was that the weakest link is still the individual person, who in most cases voluntarily gives over his or her data to cybercriminals. "Despite the technology and the effortful work of the digital experts working in the background for security, we often learn that people open the 'door' themselves and let the fraudsters in," said Ágnes Sütő, Deputy Secretary General of the Hungarian Banking Association.
They use sophisticated and evolving methods, often taking advantage of their victims' social situation, lack of information, shopping habits or loneliness. Fraudsters do not discriminate between social groups, gender or even age and can target any of us indiscriminately. As fraud increases rapidly during the festive season and other peak shopping periods, prevention and awareness are the main ways to combat against it, which is why the discussion in the ORFK building was highly well-timed and will be repeated at regular intervals to maintain interest and keep up to date with new fraud tricks and thus raise more awareness.
(based on MTI News)
(Participants of the discussion:
Viktor Halász, Police Captain of the Investigation Department of NNI Cybercrime Division of the Rapid Response and Special Police Service
László Sonjic, Senior Advisor, OTP Bank Security Directorate
Orsolya Bíróné Szunai, Coordinator of the Budapest Victim Support Centre
Gabriella Diamantopoulosné Dr. Kenyeres, Head of the Department of Judicial Professional Management of the Ministry of Justice
Ágnes Sütő, Co-Project Manager of CyberShield, Deputy Secretary General of the Hungarian Banking Association
Kristóf Gál, Police Colonel, Head of the Communications Service of the Hungarian National Police Headquarters)