A Tale of Cybercrime: Hacking and the Correct Actions

It was an ordinary morning at a school in Doha. The students were chatting excitedly about their upcoming exams and end-of-term festivities. Among them was Fahad, a tech-savvy teenager known for his active presence on social media, particularly Snapchat. Little did he know his digital life would be turned upside down.

One evening, while Fahad was at home, he received a strange message on his Social Media account. It appeared to be from a friend, but the message contained a suspicious link. Curious and unsuspecting, Fahad clicked on the link. In a split second, his world was twisted. His Snapchat account was hacked, and the hacker began posting inappropriate content from his account.

Fahad was not just embarrassed; he was mortified. He started receiving concerned and confused messages from his friends and family. Panic set in as he saw the hacker posting messages and pictures that could ruin his reputation. Fahad felt a deep sense of helplessness and didn't know what to do.

Recognizing Cybercrime.

Fahad’s parents noticed his distress and asked him what was wrong. When Fahad explained the situation, they quickly realized it was a cybercrime case. The hacking of Fahad's Snapchat account was a clear example of unauthorized access and misuse of personal information.

What to Do to Prevent Further Damage?

His parents contacted Mr. Khalid, the principal of the school, to report the incident. Mr. Khalid, a proactive educator, immediately contacted Ms. Aisha, the school’s IT expert and dedicated teacher.

Ms. Aisha, with her quick assessment of the situation, provided Fahad and his parents with comprehensive guidance. She explained the steps they needed to take to report the crime and secure Fahad’s account. This support is essential for navigating through such incidents.

Ms. Aisha first helped Fahad secure his Social Media account:

• Change Passwords: Fahad immediately changed his Social Media password and the passwords of any other accounts that might be linked.
• Enhancing Security: Ms. Aisha guided Fahad in enabling two-factor authentication, a powerful tool that significantly enhances account security.
• Notify Contacts: Fahad informed his friends and family about the hack, warning them not to click on suspicious links from his account.

Reporting Cybercrime.

Ms. Aisha explained the importance of reporting the incident to the authorities. She provided Steps to Report Cybercrime:

• Gather Evidence: Fahad and his parents collected screenshots of the hacker's suspicious messages and posts.
• Contact the Authorities and file a complaint: They reported the incident to the Cyber Crime Investigation Center at ncsoc@ncsa.gov.qa / Call 16555. They provided a detailed information about the incident and submitted all the evidence to the authorities.
• Follow-up: Fahad’s family contacted the authorities for updates on their case.

For Immediate Assistance:

• Visit Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) Website: NCSA
• Use the Metrash2 App: They used the Metrash2 app to report cybercrime directly from their smartphone. (you can find step-by-step actions here)

Lessons Learned.

The incident was a valuable lesson for Fahad, his family, and his school community. Mr. Khalid and Ms. Aisha decided to hold a special assembly to educate all students about cybercrime and online safety. During the assembly, they discussed several key points: understanding different types of cybercrime and their warning signs; the importance of using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious about sharing personal information online; and the critical need to promptly report incidents to the authorities and follow the correct procedures.

Finally, stay safe and don’t forget!

Fostering proactive reporting is crucial for Qatar's cybersecurity resilience and legal compliance. Reporting cybercrimes aids victims, enhances collective defense, and helps law enforcement counter cybercriminals, promoting accountability.

Underreporting exposes vulnerabilities, allowing cybercriminals to refine their tactics and risk financial assets, reputations, and public confidence in the digital economy.

Recognizing the importance of reporting in a secure digital environment is a shared responsibility. Prompt reporting helps authorities prevent further damage and apprehend perpetrators, emphasizing official, secure channels and avoiding unverified sources.