Cybercrime
Using computers and networks, cybercriminals can steal or damage personal information, disrupt systems and access private computer networks. Cyber attacks can cost people and businesses billions of dollars a year. The financial impact can include lost time, money, services, opportunities and reputation. The impact can also be felt by family members, friends and co-workers.
The Internet’s speed, convenience and anonymity makes it easier for criminals to commit crimes. Cyber crime is often committed by individuals or small groups of people, but larger organized crime groups are also at play. They treat cybercrime as a business and are building global criminal communities to carry out their activities.
Cybercriminals are also taking advantage of the relative anonymity offered by the Internet to engage in other crimes that would be illegal if conducted in a physical setting, such as trafficking in child pornography, digital piracy, counterfeiting and fraud. Other types of cybercrime involve stealing confidential information from government or corporate bureaucracies and hacking into systems to collect, change or delete data. Cyberattacks can be motivated by profit, ideology or the desire to harm and destroy lives.
The FBI and other federal agencies work tirelessly to combat cybercrime and foster a safer digital environment. They are fighting a complex battle on many fronts, from educating the public to maintaining robust reporting platforms like IC3. The best way for the average person to protect themselves is to keep websites, devices and software updated with the latest security patches and by backing up files. They should also exercise caution when sharing personal information online.