How to protect yourself from cybercrime

As South Africa continues its rapid digital transformation, cybersecurity threats, pose a real risk to many citizens.

This includes cybercrime and identity theft.

In a recent interview, the chief researcher and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) centre manager for the Information and Cyber Security Centre, Dr Jabu Mtsweni, shared several tips for those who may fall victim to cyberattacks.

“If you become a victim of a cybersecurity incident, it is essential to act quickly, calmly, and responsibly to minimise further damage and recover effectively. The first step is to stay calm and assess the situation,” he advised.

Mtsweni said victims should document the incident, including suspicious messages or transactions, and disconnect affected devices from the internet to halt ongoing threats.

He added that it is also vital to change all relevant passwords immediately, particularly for email, banking, social media, and work-related platforms, and to enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

“Reporting the incident is crucial. Citizens can report cybercrime to the South African Police Service (SAPS) or the national Cybersecurity Hub via its public website www.cybersecurityhub.gov.za or email. If financial fraud is involved, banks or service providers must be notified without delay,” he said.

He advised victims to also monitor their accounts for unusual activity in the days and weeks following the incident, and to consider seeking professional cybersecurity support if unsure how to proceed.

For ordinary citizens, especially those affected financially or whose personal data has been compromised, Mtsweni said it is important to contact banks to freeze or monitor accounts and inform anyone who might be impacted, such as friends or family, if their contact information has been misused.

“Victims of identity theft should consider contacting South African credit bureaus to place alerts or blocks on their profiles and remain vigilant for follow-up scams. Ultimately, prevention remains the best defence,” he said.

He added that education and awareness are key tools for reducing vulnerability to future attacks.

Mtsweni holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of South Africa. In his current role, he plays a technical and strategic role in building and implementing information and cybersecurity solutions across both the public and private sectors.

He also has a strong focus on other Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, such as Data Science, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning.

Fighting Cybercrime

Based on the work of his team at the CSIR, they are actively pursuing a multi-pronged approach to help South Africa combat cybercriminals who access confidential information.

“We have also created advanced digital forensics and cybercrime-combatting platforms that assist law enforcement agencies. These technological solutions are complemented by our strategic partnerships with key institutions, including SAPS and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), to provide the technical expertise needed to tackle sophisticated cybercrime,” he said. 

For more information, visit: www.csir.co.za