Cybercrime

Cybercrime is a term that refers to any illegal activity that involves a computer or network-connected device, such as a mobile phone. The range of cybercrimes is broad, encompassing many different types of activities, from unauthorized access to data theft to cyberstalking and beyond.

Types of Cybercrime

There are many different types of cybercrime, but they can generally be categorized into two types: crimes that target computer networks or devices directly, and crimes facilitated by computer networks or devices, the primary target of which is independent of the computer network or device.

Crimes Directly Targeting Computer Networks or Devices

These types of cybercrimes include:

• Viruses and Worms: These are programs that can infect a computer and then replicate themselves. Viruses and worms can cause a variety of problems, from slowing down a computer to deleting files or even causing a computer to crash.

• Denial of Service Attacks: In a denial of service attack, a hacker floods a network or website with traffic in order to make it unavailable to users.

• Phishing: This is a scam where a hacker sends an email that appears to be from a legitimate organization, but is actually designed to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

Crimes Facilitated by Computer Networks or Devices

These types of cybercrimes include:

• Identity Theft: This is when a hacker steals personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account information, in order to impersonate someone else.

• Cyberstalking: This is when a hacker uses electronic communications to stalk or harass an individual or group.

• Fraud and Financial Crimes: These are crimes where a hacker uses a computer to commit fraud or to steal money.

Prevention

Preventing cybercrime requires a combination of technical measures, such as using antivirus software and firewalls, and behavioral measures, such as being cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links.

See Also

• Computer Security
• Internet Safety
• Cybersecurity

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Cybercrime gallery

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  Tommy Tuberville touring the National Computer Forensic Institute in 2021