What is Cybercrime?
When people think of a cyber criminal, they often envision a sketchy guy wearing a dark hoodie camped out in a basement somewhere, typing away furiously. But the reality is that cyber crime is a highly organized and professionalized enterprise. Criminals purchase malware from vendors, create and sell phishing emails, purchase business intelligence dashboards to track their attacks, and even hire tech support. This enables them to steal your information, hack into your accounts, and access your money, or use your devices to attack others.
With the world increasingly reliant on digital technology and more data stored online, cybercrime has become one of the most widespread and damaging forms of criminal activity. In fact, experts estimate that the global cost of cyber crime will reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
From stealing your identity to hijacking your computer to steal your files, ransomware, and other cyber threats can damage your reputation and take your company offline, making it hard to do business. In some cases, cyber criminals can also put your health and safety at risk. For example, hackers recently attacked a small town’s water supply, forcing residents to pay a ransom to regain access.
The FBI is the lead federal law enforcement agency for cyber crimes committed in the United States and abroad, while local and state police departments investigate crimes that occur within their jurisdictions. Other federal agencies that work to fight cyber crime include the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S Secret Service. The judiciary consists of prosecutors who file charges against criminals, lawyers who defend them, and judges who preside over the proceedings.