INTERPOL event shares tips for staying safe online

Over 800 young people, parents and educators from across Asia and the Pacific participated in an inaugural Youth Cybercrime Awareness Webinar organized by INTERPOL. 

Designed to promote cyber hygiene and responsible online behaviour, the interactive webinar was the first of a series aimed at empowering young people to safely navigate the digital world where they are increasingly exposed to a multitude of online risks such as scams, cyberbullying, misinformation and identity theft.

In Singapore, a study on online dangers found that six in 10 young people are exposed to unsolicited harmful content including graphic violence, nudity and gender-based violence.
In Vietnam, authorities recently issued a warning on ‘virtual kidnappings’ – sophisticated online scams where criminals coerce young people into isolation while simultaneously extorting money from their families.

“Cyber awareness isn’t just important — it’s essential. Knowing how to protect yourself and others online is a skill, just like learning how to swim or cross the street safely,” said Edmund Goh from INTERPOL’s Asia and South Pacific Cybercrime Operation Desk which organized the event. 

Unique cyber threats

Participants benefitted from insights from a panel of experts representing academia, tech firms and social enterprises. 

“The online world you engage with every day is the same one cybercriminals operate in,” shared Helena Huang, Associate Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. 

With cybercriminals specifically targeting younger demographics with offers of scholarships, gaming rewards and jobs, it has become essential for young people to think critically and carefully assess the motives of individuals they interact with online. 

Amplifying the challenge are rapid technological advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI), enabling criminals to deploy increasingly realistic deepfakes and other synthetic media on a mass scale, especially with under-developed detection and authentication tools. 

“Studies have repeatedly shown that the average person is bad at identifying AI,” shared Toni Friedman, Assistant Director of Digital Technology, Policy, and Innovation at The Asia Foundation. “Misplaced confidence can lead to increased vulnerability”.

Responsible online behaviour

In addition to raising awareness on the threats posed by cybercriminals, the panel urged participants to prioritize online dignity and digital wellbeing. This is as young people are more likely to integrate their personal lives into the online sphere compared to other age groups.

“Your digital identity is a reflection of who you are. It affects your online reputation and how others see you,” noted Nina Bual, co-founder of Cyberlit, a social enterprise focused on online safety education.

She called on young people to be mindful of their actions online as they can have real-life consequences, particularly when it comes to future employment opportunities. “What you post will be online forever. Your digital footprint never fades away,” she said.

Sohaib Khan, TikTok’s Regional Lead on Law Enforcement Outreach in South and Central Asia encouraged participants to actively report incidents of harassment and inappropriate content encountered on the social media platform. He also showcased online safety tools parents could employ to moderate social media feeds.

Cautionary tale

One of the most compelling presentations came from Ngo Minh Hieu, a former hacker who shared his journey from being a ‘blackhat’ perpetrating cybercrime to a “whitehat” engaged in strengthening online security systems.

Hieu’s story was a cautionary tale of becoming involved in hacking at a young age, eventually operating sophisticated identity theft networks that resulted in significant financial losses for victims and a 13-year prison sentence in the United States.

During his time in prison, however, Hieu underwent a personal transformation which ultimately led him to use his skills for good.

Following his release, he joined law enforcement authorities in Vietnam, helping to arrest more than 200 cybercriminals in newfound career.

Throughout the webinar, participants took part in interactive quizzes and shared their own thoughts and experiences.

The session concluded with a call to action, urging young people to take responsibility for their online safety and to be mindful of the potential risks and consequences of their online activities.

To protect themselves online, young people can adopt the following steps:

• Look out for red flags: Be wary of offers that seem ‘too good to be true’, requests for money or passwords, and sharing of suspicious links or attachments.
• Use strong passwords: Create unique and complex passwords for each online account and consider using a password manager to keep them secure.
• Use privacy settings: Control the amount of personal information others can see by employing enhanced privacy settings on social media and other online platforms.
• Keep software up to date: Regularly update operating systems, browsers, and other software to ensure the latest security patches and features.
• Be mindful of online interactions: Never share personal or financial information with strangers.
• Monitor online activity: Regularly monitor online accounts and report suspicious activities as soon as possible.
• Use two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of verification to online accounts in addition to passwords.
• Back up data: Regularly back up important data to prevent losses in case of a cyberattacks.
• Stay informed: Remain updated on the latest online threats and scams.

Tips for managing digital identities include:

• Curate a positive online reputation: Be mindful of what you post online, and make sure it reflects positively on you.
• Delete harmful posts: Remove any online content that could be harmful or embarrassing to you or others.
• Think before you post: Take a moment to consider the potential consequences of what you’re about to post online.

• Follow people who inspire you: Be mindful of who you follow online and ensure they are sources of inspiration and support.
• Take regular breaks: Time away from online activities can reduce the effects of stress and cyberbullying.
• Report or block harm: If you see someone being bullied or harassed online, report it to the platform and block the person responsible.
• Stand up for what’s right: Be an ally to those who are being bullied or marginalized online.

The INTERPOL Youth Cybercrime Awareness Webinar is an initiative of the INTERPOL Asia and South Pacific Joint Operations on Cybercrime (ASPJOC) project funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.