By J2 Software CEO John Mc Loughlin

South Africa's largest law firm, ENSafrica, has recently been ordered to pay a cybercrime victim R5.5 million after a syndicate successfully hacked into a client's email during a property transaction. The hackers altered the bank account number in a PDF invoice sent by the law firm, resulting in the client losing a substantial amount of money.

ENSafrica was handling the conveyancing of a house. Unfortunately, the funds intended for the law firm's trust account, were redirected to the account of a hacker and swiftly taken away. The client took legal action against the law firm, alleging that they had failed in their duty of care by negligently not informing her of the dangers of hacking or taking necessary measures to prevent it.

This court decision serves as evidence that companies can face consequences for using plain and unsecured email for invoicing purposes. The judgment stated that the law firm failed to provide adequate warnings to the client regarding potential cyber threats.

Email has become an essential part of our daily lives. We use it to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as to manage our finances, purchase goods, and access important information. However, despite its many benefits, email is also a favourite target for cybercriminals.

Email cybercrime, or "phishing," is a rapidly growing threat that can have devastating consequences for individuals and organisations alike. In this article, we will discuss the dangers of email cybercrime and what you can do to protect yourself.

One of the biggest dangers of email cybercrime is the theft of your credentials and identity theft. Cybercriminals use phishing emails to steal personal information, such as passwords, to gain access to your systems and online platforms.

This information can then be used to steal money from bank accounts, make unauthorised purchases, or even take out loans in your name. The consequences of identity theft can be severe, leaving victims with ruined credit, legal problems, and a great deal of stress and anxiety.

Another danger of email cybercrime is the spread of malware. Cybercriminals use phishing emails to trick people into downloading malware, which can infect their computers and give the attacker control over their devices.