Cybercrime
Cybercrime is a type of crime that involves a computer or a computer network. It may harm someone’s security or finances.
Generally, cybercrime is carried out by individuals, groups, businesses and nation-states. The criminals may employ different tactics, and they have different motives for committing their crimes (Wall, 2007).
The cybercriminal’s tools of choice are typically computers and the Internet. They may use these for data mining, hacking, or other illegal purposes.
Criminals can exploit the speed, convenience and anonymity of the Internet to conduct financial crimes, as well as online stalking and bullying. In addition, the Internet’s lack of borders allows cybercriminals to operate outside of legal jurisdiction.
A typical cybercrime attack might involve a botnet or computer worm, a DDoS attack or a virus. A virus is a software program that is installed on a computer system and performs malicious actions, including damaging data or shutting the computer down.
Identity theft is another common form of cybercrime, in which a criminal steals an individual’s personal information, such as their Social Security number. The criminal may then use this information to make purchases or open accounts, which can lead to significant damage to the victim’s credit.
Cybercrime is a growing concern for public safety and national security. In fact, it is estimated that cybercrime costs the global economy close to $600 billion a year.