Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Parents need to be careful with current technological advances. Because the account is at risk of being hacked via the cellphone used by the child.

Children are targets for cybercriminals. They will use various methods to deceive their victims.

The perpetrators will use the recently popular technology Artificial Intelligence (AI). Apart from that, it also uses social engineering techniques so that children can be deceived.

Apart from that, there are several crime trends that may occur throughout 2024. Especially for parents, the following list is an important note to be aware of.

The following is a list of crime trends for 2024 originating from experts at cyber security company Kaspersky, quoted Monday (29/1/2024):

Beware of AI Applications

Over the past year, AI's popularity has risen rapidly. Even UN research notes that 80% of young people interact with technology several times a day.

One thing that has gone viral and is widely used is changing photos to look like Disney Pixar or anime production posters. However, it turns out that when uploading images to an application, it is not known how the platform stores and is responsible for the photos.

Applications such as chatbots are also vulnerable to providing content without considering the age of the user. For example, chatbots are designed to provide 'erotic' experiences, which can be dangerous for children who use them.

Hackers Target Young Gamers

Another risk comes from online gaming. An online statistic states 91% of 3015 year olds play games on any device.

The perpetrators will take advantage of this popularity to deceive their victims. For example, by promising a gift to get personal information.

They will be asked to click on a phishing link and download a malicious file disguised as a Minecraft or Fortnite mod. Apart from that, you can also do grooming.

New Threats in the World of Fintech

Many financial services have special provisions for children. However, this also makes them vulnerable to perpetrators with financial motives and conventional fraud.

The perpetrator will use social engineering techniques. This is done by posing as a peer to ask for card details or send money to their account.

Smart Home Device Threats

Smart home devices also pose dangers. One of them is the risk of hacking, perpetrators can break into devices used to monitor children at home.

After successful hacking, they will ask children to provide information such as name, address and even their parents' credit card details. This is all done when the parents are not at home.

Children's Demands For Online Spaces Are Respected

Children will become increasingly aware of their personal space, privacy and sensitive data. They may not accept being monitored by their parents in cyberspace, and even install digital parenting applications on their devices.

Parents need to do the best communication to keep their children safe online. But this is done without forgetting the child's personal space on the internet.

Download Applications Containing Trojans

Another threat is applications that contain Trojans. Kaspersky's report states that more than 190 applications were infected with the Harly Trojan on Google Play.

This Trojan will register users to paid services without the users' knowledge. Kaspersky security and privacy expert Andrey Sidenko reminded parents to continue to educate children about internet safety as early as possible.

“It is very important to teach children the basics of cyber security from an early age how not to fall into the traps of cybercriminals, what cyber threats can occur while playing games, and how to properly protect personal data,” said Andrey.

“All this is now mandatory knowledge not only for adults, but also for the youngest users,” he added.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(npb/npb)