The Effects of Cybercrime
Cybercrime is a broad category of crimes that are committed online – from the theft of personal information and ransomware to hacking and computer fraud. Its effects are felt on both the global economy and everyday people. Cyberattacks are often targeted for profit, revenge or other nefarious motives. Criminals are constantly tinkering with new ways to infiltrate systems, networks and devices.
While the internet offers criminals a vast space to hide their activities, it also offers clues that can lead to an attacker’s identity and location. Criminals, victims and technical infrastructure often span national borders, making law enforcement more challenging. For example, a cybercriminal could use their computer to access child pornography on servers in countries that do not prohibit this material.
From a large-scale perspective, the most significant effect of cyberattacks is the loss of data and information. This can lead to business downtime, lost profits and a range of other issues that can be difficult to resolve. It’s important to back up information and data regularly in order to reduce the impact of an attack.
For those interested in learning more about cybersecurity, there are a variety of opportunities available for further study and career paths. For example, a bachelor’s degree in a field such as information security or computer science can provide strong preparation for the future. In addition, careers in the fields of technology and information systems, as well as law enforcement can all be a great way to build expertise in this area.