Anyone can figure out why individuals and companies would want to avoid cybercrime. Hackers are constantly coming up with new and innovative ways to tap into computer networks and steal personal and corporate information, as well as finances, and implant viruses into the system. This can put a business in a lot of trouble if client data is hacked and can make it very hard for operations to start up again after recovery. And it can leave individuals with a poor credit score if their financial data is mined by criminals.

As such, Canadians need to be very careful when using the Internet. While it is a safe environment, individuals need to make sure that they're taking the proper precautions - like not downloading files that haven't been scanned by anti-virus software or checking out websites that are questionable.

This is more important than ever, because hackers are increasingly going after Canadian consumers, according to a recent report released by Symantec.

The cost of cybercrime has risen significantly
The Symantec study revealed that the average cost per victim of a cyberattack in Canada rose by about 50 per cent over the past year. This is largely because the tactics hackers are using are more effective and able to fool many consumers, so criminals can cause more damage than ever before.

"Today's cybercriminals are using more sophisticated attacks, such as ransomware and spear-phishing, which yield them more money per attack than ever before," explained Symantec Chief Technology Officer Stephen Trilling, adding that the increased use of new devices isn't helping the matter. "With the findings from the Norton Report that 49 per cent of consumers use their personal mobile device for both work and play, this creates entirely new security risks for enterprises as cybercriminals have the potential to access even more valuable information."

Another issue, the report found, is the fact that many people - 48 per cent of consumers and businesspeople alike - fail to password protect their devices or install security software.

So what should people do?
CBC News said that people simply shouldn't be so trustworthy when they're online, because you never know for sure who you're communicating with. The source reported on one case of a Winnipeg man buying hockey tickets online from someone he said he trusted. However, after Josh Goodman paid the money to the individual based out of Alberta, the man disappeared and he was out $700.

The main idea is to have the proper protections in place and to stay vigilant. This way, everyone can have a positive experience online.