Nevada On Top Of Another List We Don't Want To Be On

• Nevada Tops The Nation In Cybercrime

  The survey found that 637 out of every 100,000 people were a victim of cybercrime last year. That’s significantly higher than the United States average of 170 victims per 100k. The average number of victims nationwide is 11,752, but in Nevada it’s flirting dangerously with 20,000.

  Interestingly, the survey’s map found the entire west coast, Texas, and northern states from Iowa to Massachusetts to be the most victimized. The “south” (from Kansas to Georgia) were less affected.

• Nevada Doesn't Lose As Much As Other States

  Losing money to a scam is terrible and the average victim in Nevada lost $6468. While that’s awful, it’s among the lowest losses by state reaching 41st on the survey. The states with the victims losing the most?

  1. North Dakota – $32,016.17
  2. New York – $21,751.52
  3. California – $21,464.37
  4. Connecticut – $20,616.05
  5. Vermont – $18,838.43

  Some states were luckier than others. These are the states that lost the least amount…

  1. Iowa – $4,238.32
  2. New Mexico – $5,014.69
  3. West Virginia – $5,147.02
  4. Maine – $5,437.34
  5. Kentucky – $5,505.13

• Nevada Falls Victim To Identity Theft Most

  There are many different forms of cybercrimes. Nevada ends up falling victim to identity theft most, according to the survey. A bad actor gets your personal info (either from you, or from a hack of a website with poor security), and uses that to steal money, get your confidential info, or commit other types of fraud with your name. Open accounts, steal your tax return, the works.

• There's More Than Just Identity Theft

  Identity theft is just one category of cybercrime. There is also phishing emails which look like they are coming from a legitimate source like your bank or a store you like. But once you click, you’re taken to a nefarious site looking to steal your information.

  There’s also malware and viruses that can make your computer or device stop working correctly. When you call the phone number from your supposed “Microsoft anti-virus software”, it’s a bad guy on the other end of the line that’s trying to part a fool with their money. Don’t fall for it. Be careful where you click, generally.

  The most common scam found from the survey is non-payment/non-delivery scams. They are the reverse of the same situation. Non-delivery is buying something online from a sketch website, and never receiving it despite them having been paid. The reverse is non-payment, when you send something and they don’t pay you.

  The most down and dirty one is confidence or romance fraud, where a lonely heart on the internet is targeted. Then slowly and methodically the victim gains a real connection, is then fooled into believing their new love is in need. They open their wallets like they open their heart.

• How Widespread Is It?

  If it has happened to you, it’s little solace to know you are not alone. The survey found the average participant was scammed twice online. Over half of people surveyed, 58%, have been a victim.

• How Can You Protect Yourself?

  There is no “silver bullet” that’ll protect you, but there are several smaller things you can do that will make a big impact.

  • Use strong passwords: Numbers, letters of varying CapItAlizatiOn, and the longer the better. You don’t have to get TOO complicated if your password is long (over 12 characters at least). Consider changing them from time to time as well.
  • Use different passwords: Don’t use the same password for every service, otherwise if your password is compromised, all of your accounts could potentially be accessed. Change them up.
  • Use Two-Factor Authentication: it’s a total pain, but it’s helpful. Use 2FA for all of your services and an Authenticator app on your phone to verify the person logging in is in fact you. Almost make sure to back up your authenticator app before you factory reset or replace your phone.
  • Update your software: Old versions mean old issues which perpetrators can use to get into your system.
  • If it sounds too good to be true…: You know the rest. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Don’t trust things you see at face value.

  There are other options as well, including using a password manager. But if they gain access to that manager, they’ve got all the keys. So, be weary and cautious and dodge the next scam thrown your way.