England's Cybercrime Snapshot: Key Trends of 2024
As we navigate through 2024, The Cyber Helpline has been at the forefront of providing critical support to individuals facing cyber threats. Between January 1st and May 31st, our Chatbot opened over 1,800 cases across England, offering a detailed glimpse into the current state of cybersecurity. Here’s what we’ve discovered:
Geographic Hotspots
The distribution of cyber incidents highlights several key areas of concern. Greater London remains the most affected region, with 25% of all cases originating here. This isn't entirely surprising given the city's dense population and the extensive use of digital technology. Following Greater London, Kent and the West Midlands also report high levels of cyber incidents, with Essex rounding out the top-affected counties.
Prevalent Attack Types
The variety of cyber threats faced by individuals is both concerning and indicative of the evolving tactics used by cybercriminals. Here are the most prevalent attack types we've seen so far:
Hacked Accounts (Over 23%): Account takeovers are the most common issue in 2024. Whether through social media, email, or other online services, hacked accounts pose significant risks to personal and financial security. The most affected personal accounts dealing with unauthorised access are social media accounts. Find tips on how to protect your accounts with strong passwords here.
Online Harassment (Cyberbullying) (16%): Cyberbullying remains a major concern, affecting a significant portion of our users. This form of digital abuse encompasses various malicious behaviours, including spreading rumours, sending threatening messages, or creating fake profiles to impersonate and harass victims.
Cyberstalking (Including Bugs, Cameras, Trackers) (11%): The invasion of privacy through stalking and surveillance tools is a disturbing trend and continues to be one of the most common cyber threats reported at The Cyber Helpline. It involves the persistent and often obsessive monitoring of an individual's online activities. These cases often involve sophisticated methods to monitor and intimidate victims.
Fake Profiles (Over 7%): The creation and use of fake profiles for malicious purposes, including scams and identity theft, continue to rise. Perpetrators create fictitious identities to deceive and manipulate others, exacerbating issues of trust and security in digital spaces. Fake profiles tend to be exploited for scams by posing as trustworthy entities to solicit personal information, financial details, or engage in fraudulent transactions.
Our Commitment
The Cyber Helpline is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting those affected by cybercrime. Our team works tirelessly to provide guidance, resources, and reassurance to victims. As cyber threats evolve, so do our methods of support and intervention.
We encourage everyone to stay vigilant, practice good cyber hygiene, and seek help if you suspect you’ve been targeted. Together, we can work towards a safer online environment for all.