Cybercrime in Nigeria continues to rise, not only because scammers are getting smarter, but because many Nigerians unknowingly make simple mistakes that expose them to fraud, hacking, identity theft, and financial loss.
Awareness is the first step to protection. This article highlights the most common cybersecurity mistakes Nigerians make every day — and how to fix each one.
This is the biggest mistake Nigerians make online.
If a hacker gets one password,
they automatically get access to:
How to fix:
✔ Use different passwords for each account
✔ Use a password manager
✔ Use strong passwords (not your date of birth)
Many Nigerians don’t enable 2FA on:
This makes it easy for scammers to hijack accounts.
How to fix:
✔ Turn on 2FA on every app
✔ Use authenticator apps, not SMS
✔ Avoid sharing verification codes
Scammers share:
Just one click can steal:
How to fix:
✔ Avoid clicking unknown links
✔ Confirm URLs before opening
✔ Don’t trust forwarded messages
These often contain:
Hackers use these to monitor your phone or steal bank details.
How to fix:
✔ Download apps only from Play Store or App Store
✔ Avoid cracked software
✔ Use antivirus for extra protection
Many Nigerians share:
Scammers use this to guess passwords or impersonate you.
How to fix:
✔ Avoid exposing private information
✔ Be careful with what you post
✔ Keep your personal life offline
Free Wi-Fi in:
…can be used by hackers to spy on you.
How to fix:
✔ Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking
✔ Don’t enter passwords on public networks
✔ Use a VPN if you must connect
Fake accounts use social engineering to:
How to fix:
✔ Accept only people you know
✔ Block suspicious accounts
✔ Review your privacy settings
Common examples:
These are mostly scams.
How to fix:
✔ If it sounds too good to be true, avoid it
✔ Verify from official government websites
✔ Avoid anything demanding upfront payment
Many Nigerians use:
This is dangerous.
How to fix:
✔ Use fingerprint + strong PIN
✔ Don’t share your phone password
✔ Enable auto-lock
Scammers use fake online stores on:
Once you pay, they disappear.
How to fix:
✔ Ask for buyer reviews
✔ Use Pay on Delivery when possible
✔ Confirm CAC registration for large purchases
✔ Avoid paying strangers directly
Old software = weak security.
Hackers exploit outdated apps.
How to fix:
✔ Update phone apps often
✔ Update browsers
✔ Update bank apps
✔ Update phones regularly
Fake alerts and phishing attacks work because people:
How to fix:
✔ Use only official bank apps
✔ Type the bank URL manually
✔ Ignore “verification” messages
This is very common.
Scammers ask you to:
Once connected, they can:
How to fix:
✔ Never allow remote access
✔ Only technicians you TRUST should handle your phone
✔ Always monitor who touches your device
Some sellers accept:
How to fix:
✔ Use real-time bank transfers
✔ Always check your bank app
✔ Don’t trust SMS alerts
Scammers who hack your device can easily find:
How to fix:
✔ Don’t write down sensitive information
✔ Use password managers
✔ Clear old chats
Most cybercrime succeeds because of simple mistakes that can be fixed with awareness and caution. If every Nigerian improved basic cybersecurity habits, we could reduce fraud cases drastically.
Share this article with others—awareness saves money, jobs, and lives.
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