Many cyber attacks succeed not because hackers are smarter but because victims unknowingly make it easy for them.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) says ignorance and poor online habits are major reasons people fall prey to cybercriminals.
Speaking in Abuja at the launch of an online cyber crime awareness campaign themed “Odogwu No Dey Hide Him Face,” the centre’s Commissioner of Police, Uche Ifeanyi, said studies show that many attacks are triggered or enabled by victims who lack basic digital safety knowledge.
According to him, protecting personal information online is just as important as maintaining physical health.
He urged Nigerians to adopt simple cyber hygiene practices such as using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, installing antivirus protection, and keeping software updated.
The police commissioner also warned internet users to avoid suspicious links, protect confidential information, and be wary of “too good to be true” offers, noting that many scams hide behind promises of free gifts.
He further advised Nigerians to verify information before sharing it online to prevent the spread of fake news, stressing that cybercriminals can target anyone regardless of age, profession or social status.
Also speaking, *Vincent Olatunji, Director-General of the **National Data Protection Commission, praised the campaign and stressed that *fighting cybercrime requires collective action, especially as internet use continues to grow rapidly across Nigeria.
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