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Cybercrime is a broad term for any illegal activity that involves computer systems or internet-connected devices. It encompasses everything from malware attacks to phishing, vishing, and cyberstalking. It also includes threats to physical infrastructure like energy, transportation and healthcare networks. This growing threat can lead to significant financial losses, data breaches and compromised personal information. Academic programs that address cybercrime focus on building technical defenses and exploring how attackers exploit human behavior.

Malware is software that infiltrates a device or network, steals data and accesses information. Examples of malware include ransomware, cryptojacking and spyware. A cybercriminal may use this type of attack to extort money or hold the victim’s device hostage until they pay a ransom. This type of attack is particularly dangerous to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that are more likely to experience a breach due to insufficient resources or remote operations. SMEs also face an increased risk of attack due to the COVID-19 pandemic when employees worked from home, making them more susceptible to phishing and vishing attacks.

Some of the most common types of cybercrime are banking fraud, ecommerce scams and sophisticated consumer scams that involve phishing and identity theft. Other cybercrimes target individuals like cyberstalking where cybercriminals send harmful and embarrassing content to embarrass and intimidate someone else online. These activities can lead to psychological problems for victims and are often a form of revenge.