Types of Cybercrime
Cybercrime, also known as computer crime or IT crime, is an evolving area of criminal activity that has become pervasive in modern society. It affects both individuals and businesses and is causing massive damage to the economy, including loss of data and lost revenue.
Definitions, typologies and taxonomies of cybercrime have been developed in academia and industry to help identify and classify cybersecurity-related criminal acts. However, a lack of clear and precise definitions have made it difficult to develop effective policies and legislation for this field.
Types of Cybercrime:
There are many types of cybercrime, including malware, ransomware and phishing campaigns. These attacks are designed to disrupt systems and networks, steal data, encrypt files or hold them hostage until a ransom is paid.
Malware is any malicious software that can destroy files, corrupt the operating system, take control of devices or systems and send out spam messages. The most famous examples of malware are viruses and spyware, which have the ability to infect computers and mobile devices to do damage, steal data and make money for their creators.
Phishing is a form of online fraud that involves sending unsolicited email to obtain sensitive information from people without their knowledge or consent. The message may include an infected attachment or link to a malicious website.
Several agencies deal with cybercrime and are working to protect the public from this growing problem. For example, the United States Secret Service’s Electronic Crimes Task Force investigates and prosecutes cybercrime crimes that affect the nation’s financial and critical infrastructure.