Cybercrime is currently an increasingly serious problem, affecting computer and smartphone users around the world. Criminals use various methods to try to steal data from computers or gain access to protected networks, and very often unwitting users serve as inadvertent accomplices. As disreputable statistics show, the vast majority of successful attacks have been the result of human errors—mistakes that could easily be avoided if users knew how to act in specific situations and which actions to definitely avoid. That is why it is so important to raise the awareness and knowledge of people using various electronic devices – it will help protect not only themselves from threats but also the companies they work for.

What Threats Lurk Online?
As mentioned earlier, it is the human element that is the weakest link in the entire system of defenses against digital attacks. Modern antivirus systems or firewalls are useless if someone makes elementary mistakes that allow hackers to break in. And these hackers are well aware of various manipulation methods, which they are increasingly using. For example, email attachments can be used; clicking on them may result in a virus being installed. Not long ago, these attachments were written in simple language with errors, and yet there were those who opened them. Today, such emails are professionally crafted, closely resembling messages received from banks, auction sites, or online stores. In such cases, it is very easy to make a mistake, which is why it is so important to know how to recognize suspicious messages. Another area that requires constant education is passwords. If they are too weak or changed too infrequently, they serve as an excellent invitation for hackers. Once hackers gain control of a device, they can cause significant damage, including stealing company data or money from bank accounts.

How Should Protection Against Cybercrime Be Organized?
The threats posed by cybercriminals are so serious that they require a comprehensive approach in many areas, including at the governmental level. Fortunately, this is already happening; both our authorities and those of other countries are fully aware of the scale of the problem and are trying to address it. One of the key elements of such efforts is educating and convincing users that being safe online is now a necessity. However, this cannot be achieved without the support of companies providing modern technological solutions as well as various institutions. These entities primarily possess extensive knowledge and experience in security measures, and they should share this expertise. At a certain level, cooperation with the agencies responsible for national security is also indispensable—only such a holistic approach can bring about the desired results.

Training for Children and Youth
Educating children and youth plays a very important role in cyber security awareness. Young people are particularly vulnerable to various attacks due to their limited experience and a casual approach to many matters. Digital aggression, which unfortunately is becoming increasingly socially accepted, also frequently occurs among them, and for the victims, it can be a traumatic experience. Existing measures such as parental controls or restricting access to harmful content are ineffective, as unwanted material is widely available and hard to block. Therefore, education about various online threats, including the problem of digital violence, should be conducted both by parents and by schools. In recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on educating the youngest internet users, with many institutions offering special classes in this area.

Training for Company Employees
Efforts to improve security in the use of IT solutions are becoming increasingly common in both small and large companies. These efforts primarily consist of proper procedures and rules of conduct—entrepreneurs are well aware of how important this is becoming for them. Along with these procedures comes the systematic raising of employee awareness through both external and internal training; mere prohibitions and mandates will help little if people do not feel the need to adhere to them. A great emphasis is placed on the appropriate frequency of such training—one-off sessions usually do not bring the desired results, as people quickly revert to their old habits.