The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has continued to sensitise telecom consumers across the country on the dangers of cybercrime and the need for them to be more conscious of threats in the cyberspace when carrying out financial transactions or any other activity online.
This was demonstrated during the 109th edition of the monthly Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) held in Osogbo, Osun state which focused on how the telecom consumers can mitigate effects of cybercrimes.
The commission said telecom consumers should always use strong and secure passwords for their Internet-based accounts and online transactions.
“The use of strong and secure passwords for online transactions would make it difficult for cybercriminals to hack into online accounts of Internet users and we encourage telecom users to be wary of the various antics of cybercriminals,” director NCC Consumer Affairs Bureau Felicia Onwuegbuchulam who was represented by deputy director Consumer Affairs Bureau Jerry said
Onwuegbuchulam stated that as the commission embarks on various initiatives for Nigerians to have increased access to broadband for positive engagements, it was also aware of the wrong use of such access for negative purposes by some individuals.
It was based on this realisation that the commission dedicated some of its outreach programme to sensitising telecom consumers on dangers of cybercrime as well as the obligation of the consumers in online protection.
Onwuegbuchulam noted that the commission will continue to engage telecom consumers on the effects of cybercrime through enlightenment and awareness.
Head of Information and Reference at Consumer Affairs Bureau Ismail Adedigba stated that as the demand for data services and Internet activity increases, with most services especially commerce and other banking activities are going online, Internet users have become targets for hackers.
This explains why NCC considers it necessary “to commit resources into continuously educating telecom consumers on the dangers and forms of cybercrimes as well as empower them with the knowledge they need to be able to discern and identify cybercrime antics in various guises when they confront any online and more importantly, what they should do personally to get protected” he said.
