Cheap Connectivity of Internet in Africa: Is it always Beneficial?

According to PC World, online scams targeting the financial sector increase in Africa as more people access online banking services and mobile banking. Phishing attacks mainly take place in South Africa where online banking is common, while mobile money theft is common in other parts of Africa.

With the aim of fighting against cybercriminals South Africa's Absa bank, the largest bank in Sub Saharan Africa, announced that its internet banking customers could download the security software without any charge. While Absa bank is providing software to its customers, the Communications Commission of Kenya has started the practice of educating consumers on cybercrime and other threats posed by Internet usage. Expensive internet has been the reason for non-existence of the internet penetration and e-commerce in Kenya the situation in which will change because of the East Africa Marine System and SEACOM cables that are to bring cheap connectivity to the area.

Despite the unavailability of cheap internet in East Africa, various crimes that are committed with the use mobile phones are widespread in the area. Cybercriminals conducted their activities in Nigeria by sending “419” emails which promised millions of dollars left behind by Africa's former dictators or profitable oil contracts. 419 e-mails have been stopped to a certain extent which resulted in using mobile technology by criminals. 

Despite the efforts of Kenyan banks aimed at educating consumers, Kamau criticizes banks for taking sufficient measures to protect consumers. He further adds that "transactions can be easily intercepted if there are weak Secure Sockets Layer certificates and signatures which may render online transactions very vulnerable."  

In addition to financial sector, Web sites providing online transactions have been targeted by cybercriminals as well. The Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) has been a recent target of cybercriminals who sent fake e-mails to ticket buyers regarding the availably of free tickets.