Cybercrime in Germany: Invisible enemy on the internet

It's no longer enough to lock the front door and lock the car. Today, burglars not only come through windows and doors, but also through our screens. And even if the figures for 2022 show a slight decrease in cybercrime, there is still a dark shadow over digital Germany.

Numbers that don't lie, but don't tell the whole story

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has published its statistics : 139,000 cases of internet crime were registered last year. That initially sounds like good news, because compared to the previous year it represents a decline of 6.5 percent. But upon closer inspection it becomes clear: “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said BKA Vice President Martina Link. What if 90 percent of the actual cases remain invisible because they are committed from outside Germany?

Enormous economic damage

One might think that digital intrusions cause less damage than physical ones. But the numbers tell a different story: in 2022, cyber attacks caused a whopping 203 billion euros in damage. That's more than double compared to just three years ago! Where does this increase come from? Have the attackers become smarter? Or have our defense systems weakened?

The companies in their sights

Cyber ​​attacks not only affect private individuals, but also companies. According to a survey by the industry association Bitkom, almost two thirds of the companies surveyed expect to fall victim to an attack in the coming year. Even more worrying is the fact that almost half of companies believe such an attack could bankrupt them. The question that arises: Are our companies prepared for this threat?

Defense Efforts – More than just a password

It is clear that our defenses need to be strengthened. This is not just about technological measures, but also about raising awareness and training employees. Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst calls for more defensive efforts from companies and authorities. But what does that mean exactly? Do we need stronger passwords, better firewall systems or a rethinking of corporate culture?

Conclusion: The invisible web of cybercrime

The growing threat of cyber attacks cannot be overlooked. Even if the official figures show a decline, the actual extent of the problem is far greater than previously assumed. The enormous economic burden and companies' growing awareness of this threat underscore the need to act now.

Security in the digital space is no longer an option. It is an absolute necessity. While technology is part of the solution, the real power lies in our ability to educate, be vigilant and work together to combat this invisible threat.

Source:

BKA

This might also be of interest:
Identity theft with a click: From the false federal eagle and supposed emails from the authorities.
Phishing! The invisible enemy: Fraud emails disguise themselves as tax offices
Facebook and Instagram: Criminals disguise malware as product complaints