BotNet News

Cybercrime involves the use of technology to commit criminal acts that can cause serious harm to businesses, individuals and society. It affects all industries and has wide-ranging economic, social and security impacts. Some of the most common types include ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns and cyber extortion. Others include hacking to gain access to private data, sell stolen data or disrupt online services through denial-of-service attacks.

Often, cyberattacks are launched from remote locations, where criminals can hide behind anonymity. They can also avoid detection by hiding data in the cloud or disguising their activities. Because of these challenges, law enforcement needs international partners to combat cybercrime. INL works to promote American policies and practices in this area through bilateral and multilateral forums.

Many cyberattacks are motivated by profit or revenge. For example, disgruntled employees may steal company data and sell it or attack an organization that treated them poorly. But some attackers—called white-hat hackers—hack for the joy of it and to help organizations improve their cybersecurity defenses.

As the world becomes more digitally connected, cyberthreats will become even more sophisticated and dangerous. To counteract these threats, businesses need to keep their security posture updated, educate employees and back up data regularly. Government agencies also need to work together and share intelligence. The FBI’s Cyber Division and Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have special divisions to help combat cybercrime. They aim to increase the resilience of critical cyber and physical infrastructure and address public health and national security threats posed by these attacks.