Cybercrime
Cybercrime encompasses many different types of criminal activity, from hacking and online fraud to identity theft, extortion, cyberbullying, and even cyberterrorism. This is a rapidly evolving area, as new technologies and methods of criminal activity continue to emerge. HSI is committed to working with our partners, Congress, industry, academia, and the public to raise awareness about emerging threats.
Unlike traditional crime, cybercrimes frequently cross jurisdictional borders. This makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track suspects and victims. It also creates challenges when it comes to determining what should be considered a cybercrime and how it should be prosecuted.
Some crimes fit neatly into a category, such as child pornography, cyberespionage, and computer piracy. Others fall into a more general category, such as unauthorized release of protected personal information, ransomware attacks and data breaches. Still other crimes may be categorized as cyberterrorism, sabotage of nuclear plants or other infrastructure, or computer fraud and extortion.
A growing number of cybercriminals are becoming increasingly organized and savvy in their approach to targeting individuals and organizations. They use a variety of tactics and attack vectors to steal valuable information, disrupt critical systems or financial services, and make large sums of money.
The global reach of the Internet means that it’s possible for criminals to hide their identities, operate anonymously and perpetrate large-scale attacks from remote locations. These digital attacks have a devastating impact on our society and economy. From phishing scams and ransomware to massive data breaches and lost intellectual property, the consequences of cyber crime are widespread and profound.