Cyber Crime

Cyber Crime

Are you concerned about your safety and security on the Internet? Are you worried about your data being stolen? Understanding exactly what cybercrime is, the different types, and how to protect yourself from it will help put your mind at rest.

What is Cybercrime?

New technologies create new criminal opportunities and new types of crime, and the one involving the internet is called Cybercrime or computer crime. Cybercrime or attack is defined as systematic criminal activity occurring digitally and done by attackers. 

It can also be mentioned as illicit use of the internet and computers. The computers are either the target of the crimes or used as a weapon for the crime. These crimes have become a common part of our daily lives. Each and every day one or the other person is becoming the victim of cybercrime. Internet is accessed by a number of people at the same time for various purposes, these hackers make their way out of these opportunities.

Cybercrimes are committed by hackers not only for profit but for personal gains and with the aim to damage a person, institution, or nation. Internationally, both governmental and non-state institutions engage in cybercrime. Cybercrime is known as cyber warfare as soon as it crosses international borders.

Categories of Cybercrime

There are three major categories that cybercrime falls into individual, property, and government. The types of methods used and difficulty levels vary depending on the category.

  • Property

This is similar to a real-life instance of a criminal illegally possessing an individual’s bank or credit card details. The hacker steals a person’s bank details to gain access to funds, make purchases online or run phishing scams to get people to give away their information. They could also use malicious software to gain access to a web page with confidential information.

  • Individual

This category of cybercrime involves one individual distributing malicious or illegal information online. This can include cyberstalking, distributing pornography, and trafficking.

  • Government

This is the least common cybercrime but is the most serious offense. A crime against the government is also known as cyber terrorism. Government cybercrime includes hacking government websites, military websites, or distributing propaganda. These criminals are usually terrorists or enemy governments of other nations.

Different Types of Cyber Crimes

There are many different types of cybercrime. Most cybercrimes are carried out with the expectation of financial gain by the attackers, though the ways cybercriminals aim to get paid can vary. Some specific types of cybercrimes include the following.

  • Cyberextortion

A crime involving an attack or threat of an attack coupled with a demand for money to stop the attack. One form of cyberextortion is the ransomware attack. Here, the attacker gains access to an organization's systems and encrypts its documents and files -- anything of potential value -- making the data inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Usually, this is in some form of cryptocurrency, such as bitcoin. Cybersecurity Ventures expects ransomware costs will rise to $18

billion in 2025.

  • Identity Theft

This cybercrime occurs when a criminal gains access to a user’s personal information to steal funds, access confidential information, or participate in tax or health insurance fraud. They can also open a phone/internet account in your name, use your name to plan a criminal activity, and claim government benefits in your name. They may do this by finding out users’ passwords through hacking, retrieving personal information from social media, or sending phishing emails. Personal health information is another frequent target for identity thieves.

  • DDoS Attacks

These are used to make an online service unavailable and take the network down by overwhelming the site with traffic from a variety of sources. Large networks of infected devices known as Botnets are created by depositing malware on users’ computers. The hacker then hacks into the system once the network is down.

  • Cyberstalking

This kind of cybercrime involves online harassment where the user is subjected to a plethora of online messages and emails. Typically cyberstalkers use social media, websites, and search engines to intimidate a user and instill fear. Usually, the cyberstalker knows their victim and makes the person feel afraid or concerned for their safety.

  • Social Engineering

Social engineering involves criminals making direct contact with you usually by phone or email. They want to gain your confidence and usually pose as a customer service agent so you’ll give the necessary information needed. This is typically a password, the company you work for, or bank information. Cybercriminals will find out what they can about you on the internet and then attempt to add you as a friend on social accounts. Once they gain access to an account, they can sell your information or secure accounts in your name.

  • PUPs

PUPS or Potentially Unwanted Programs are less threatening than other cybercrimes but are a type of malware. They uninstall necessary software in your system including search engines and pre-downloaded apps. They can include spyware or adware, so it’s a good idea to install antivirus software to avoid malicious downloads

  • Online Scams

These are usually in the form of ads or spam emails that include promises of rewards or offers of unrealistic amounts of money. Online scams include enticing offers that are “too good to be true” and when clicked on can cause malware to interfere and compromise information.

  • Prohibited/Illegal Content

This cybercrime involves criminals sharing and distributing inappropriate content that can be considered highly distressing and offensive. Offensive content can include but is not limited to, sexual activity between adults, videos with intense violence, and videos of criminal activity. Illegal content includes materials advocating terrorism-related acts and child exploitation material. This type of content exists both on the everyday internet and on the dark web, an anonymous network.

  • Phishing

This type of attack involves hackers sending malicious email attachments or URLs to users to gain access to their accounts or computer. Cybercriminals are becoming more established and many of these emails are not flagged as spam. Users are tricked into emails claiming they need to change their password or update their billing information, giving criminals access.

  • Cyberespionage

A crime involving a cybercriminal who hacks into systems or networks to gain access to confidential information held by a government or other organization. Attacks may be motivated by profit or by ideology. Cyberespionage activities can include every type of cyberattack to gather, modify or destroy data, as well as using network-connected devices, like webcams or closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras, to spy on a targeted individual or groups and monitoring communications, including emails, text messages, and instant messages.

Impact of Cybercrime on Society

Cybercrime has created a major threat to those who use the internet, with millions of users’ information stolen within the past few years. It has also made a major dent in many nations’ economies. IBM president and CEO Ginni Rometty described cybercrime as “the greatest threat to every profession, every industry, every company in the world.”The global cost of cybercrime will reach $6 trillion by 2021.

How to Prevent Cybercrime?

While it may not be possible to completely eradicate cybercrime and ensure complete internet security, but there are certain tips that can improve our cybersecurity.

  • Keep software and operating system updated

Keeping your software and operating system up to date ensures that you benefit from the latest security patches to protect your computer.

  • Use anti-virus software and keep it updated

Anti-virus software allows you to scan, detect and remove threats before they become a problem. Having this protection in place helps to protect your computer and your data from cybercrime, giving you peace of mind.

If you use anti-virus software, make sure you keep it updated to get the best level of protection.

  • Use strong passwords

Don’t repeat your passwords on different sites, and change your passwords regularly. Make them complex. That means using a combination of at least 10 letters, numbers, and symbols. A password management application can help you to keep your passwords locked down.

  • Never open attachments in spam emails

A classic way that computers get infected by malware attacks and other forms of cybercrime is via email attachments in spam emails. Never open an attachment from a sender you do not know.

  • Do not give out personal information unless secure

Never give out personal data over the phone or via email unless you are completely sure the line or email is secure. Make certain that you are speaking to the person you think you are. 

  • Contact companies directly about suspicious requests

If you get asked for data from a company that has called you, hang up. Call them back using the number on their official website to ensure you are speaking to them and not a cybercriminal. 

Ideally, use a different phone because cybercriminals can hold the line open. When you think you’ve re-dialed, they can pretend to be from the bank or other organization that you think you’re speaking to.

  • Be mindful of which website URLs you visit

Keep an eye on the URLs you are clicking on. Do they look legitimate? Avoid clicking on links with unfamiliar or spammy-looking URLs.

If your internet security product includes functionality to secure online transactions, ensure it is enabled before carrying out financial transactions online.

  • Keep an eye on your bank statements

Keep an eye on your bank statements and query any unfamiliar transactions with the bank. The bank can investigate whether they are fraudulent.

Conclusion

Cybercrime is spreading its arms day by day. The most appropriate way of being safe from becoming the victim of its ill effects is by following security measures. There are various ways by which we can protect our confidential information from being leaked. We should always focus on awareness as - ‘Prevention is better than cure, especially when the cure is not available.