A. M. 
Cybersecurity threats are rampant and affect millions of people worldwide, with fraud, cyberbullying, and identity theft leading to financial and mental health consequences. This is hardly surprising given the lucrative nature of the cybercrime market. Central American countries are no exception to these threats.
Furthermore, in an increasingly connected world, where technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are rapidly integrating into daily life, cybersecurity is no longer the exclusive domain of experts. Today, protecting data and devices has become an everyday necessity.
In this regard, for ESET a leading company in proactive threat detection, information is now the most critical asset, to the point that some even call it the new “gold” of this era; protecting it with robust cyber defense is essential to safeguard intellectual property, secure sensitive personal data, and ensure uninterrupted operation of the entire world.
Fraud, including online scams and phishing, causes significant financial losses, while cyberbullying can affect the mental health of victims. Identity theft, meanwhile, can lead to the loss of assets, damaged credit history, or even legal problems.
“Today, when we talk about cybersecurity, we must consider that companies are made up of people, and we are all part of an ecosystem. Therefore, we can’t talk about different types of security, with one type for the home and another for the business. All efforts must be focused on protection, starting with individuals themselves and based on the premise that we can all be potential victims of a cyberattack. This is because we all handle data, and cybercriminals generally seek to access bank accounts, commit financial fraud, and steal identities. This can become even more complicated the more a person holds a relevant role in their work”, explains Martina López, IT security specialist at ESET Latin America.
Among the implications are the following:
Online fraud, such as investment scams or fraudulent purchases, can cost victims billions of dollars. A report by McKinsey & Company, Inc., a global strategic consulting firm, confirmed that global investment in cybersecurity for 2024 exceeded US$200 billion. On the other hand, losses from failing to protect cybersecurity can be substantial. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report confirmed global losses from cybercrime in the order of US$16.6 billion, representing a 33% increase compared to 2023.
Meanwhile, phishing attacks are on the rise. This type of scam typically uses a message that can arrive via a messaging application, email, or SMS, in which the user is asked to click on a link. The address corresponds to fake websites that mimic legitimate ones to deceive users and obtain confidential information. As an example in the region, in El Salvador, a phishing campaign was recently detected in which cybercriminals simulated traffic camera fine notifications to deceive users.
Another issue to mention is cyberbullying and grooming. Cyberbullying occurs when someone harasses, insults, or constantly attacks another person through digital means such as social media or messaging apps. Grooming, on the other hand, happens when an adult pretends to be someone the victim trusts, usually feigning to be the same age as the victim, to gain their trust. Then, they try to obtain intimate photos, engage in sexing, or even arrange in-person meetings.
Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to these situations. Snapchat, with over 750 million monthly users, is one of the most popular platforms among young people and a frequent channel for cyberbullying and grooming, due to its ephemeral messages, filters, and artificial intelligence features. This poses serious privacy and security challenges.
One cybercrime that has very likely worsened in the last decade, due to the rise of online shopping (especially during the pandemic), online video games, and the cryptocurrency boom, is identity theft. Criminals can use a stolen identity to withdraw funds from bank accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or apply for loans in the victim’s name. This can damage the victim’s credit history and make them responsible for debts they did not incur. Furthermore, identity theft can also lead to legal problems for the victim or the addition of incorrect information to their medical records.
The ESET specialist concludes that “cybersecurity is a vital component of our daily lives. Advances in cybersecurity technology, such as artificial intelligence and multi-factor authentication, are crucial to protecting individuals and organizations from the growing cyber threats”.
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