The technical era where we are living is quite vulnerable to cybercrimes. It is growing day by day and costing individuals and the organizations a fear for life. What is more frightening is that these cybercriminals are hard to chase or trace. Show In this blog, we will study about the types of cybercrimes and their impact on society. Also Read | All about Cryptojacking What is Cybercrime?A cybercrime in layman’s language can be defined as web or computer related crime. Any criminal activity where a computer is used to favor the sum is called cybercrime. Here the computer acts as an object of the crime or a tool to commit the crime. A cybercrime can be sometimes, really very destructive in nature. The group of persons who are involved in cybercrimes are called hackers or cybercriminals. Cybercriminals seize the confidential or personal information of the users and use it for some malicious activity to serve their own interests and benefits. History of CybercrimeThe first malicious attack on the network can be traced back from the 1970s. when the hackers found a way to track the long call records of the individuals via a series of codes. They were the first hackers identified as criminals who know how to exploit the system and modify the hardware and software to steal long distance phone time. There the people realized that computer systems are vulnerable to risks. Later in 1990, a large project, Operation Sundevil was exposed. Where cybercriminals fraud a lot of credit cards and track telephonic activities to serve their own purposes. Since then cybercrime has become a large problem in our society. Cybercriminals are wholly trained in public web space as well as dark space. They are so trained in their activity, like sometimes it is quite impossible even to guess their name. Also Read | What is Ethical Hacking? Types of CybercrimesCybercrimes are generally classified into two major categories. These two categories are:
Further the cyber attacks or cyber crimes are classified into mentioned types :  Types of Cyberattacks DDoS attacks are done when an online service is corrupted and unavailable. Expanded as distributed denial of the service, DDoS attacks also known as DDoS Extortion. It overwhelms the traffic on the site from a variety of sources and slows the network. Just as a traffic jam clogs the way of vehicles on the road, DDoS attacks prevent the regular traffic to enter on the site. Such types of cyberattacks achieve effectiveness by using several compromised computer systems as a source of attack traffic. It can affect the working of any IoT devices like computers or mobile phones. Botnets are the compromised computer networks that are controlled by the remote hackers. By these botnets, the hackers send spam and attack on other computers by sending attachments and mails. The botnets are the kind of malware system that are used for malicious attacks. A botnet always affects a set of devices and not a single one. Botnets basically work on the basis of bots which get their order from the master and work on the appellation bot that are communicated and transferred from the old chat service Internet Relay Chat (IRC). Phishing is the type of cyber-attack that involves hacking through malicious email attacks. The hackers send the malicious attachments and URLs to different users via email ids. These links are directed to gain access to the user's account. Most of these emails are not even flagged as spams. The hackers trick the users by claiming that the later one needs to change their password or billing information for continuation of some services. As soon as the users click the URL, the mail access is lost. Cyberstalking is a kind of individual cybercrime. It involves online harassment where basically the security of a person is subjected. The cyberstalkers are the modest kind of stalkers, who use social media, websites and search engines to intimidate a user and track him for long. The user is subjected to several series of online messages and emails. Cyberstalking helps the stalkers to know everything about the user about their daily routine and work. Thus, creating a feeling of fear and threat in the mind of users. Also Read | What is Digital Piracy? Social engineering is the cybercrime that makes the direct connection between the user and the hackers by phone or email. These hackers first gain your trust and then gain control over your device and network. At first, they pose like an unharmful character like a customer service agent. After pretending they gain important and necessary information from you. As soon as they learn about important information related to password or official information, they struggle to find out what else they can deal with on the internet. They also try to follow your social accounts. And once they are able to access the information related to your account, they try to sell or secure your access for their own profits. PUPs expanded as Potentially Unwanted Programs. They are less threatening and risky than other cybercrimes and are more like malware. Such kinds of malwares pave their way into your computer by means of cache or cookie file. It harms the user and its device in two ways, either by installing useless applications in the device without owner’s permission or by uninstalling the necessary software like search engines. These may include spyware and adware, so it is always a good idea to keep your devices updated with antivirus software to avoid such malicious activity or events. Unidentified theft is also a type of cybercrime. It occurs when a criminal successfully gains a user’s personal information to steal funds or to participate in a kind of fraud. The cybercriminals can also use your account or telephonic details to plan a criminal activity or to claim benefits. Unidentified theft of IoT devices generally occurs by hacking passwords of the users and retrieving their personal information from some open or easy to track social media accounts or by sending phishing emails. As the name suggesting you can relate exploit kits as the tiny bomb packets that can trouble the integrity of your device. Exploit Kits seek a vulnerable device and gain the control of the computer. An exploit kit is a ready-made tool that is available online. The hackers purchase it directly from some sources like dark web hacking forums and then release it into the devices. It embeds bugs into the IoT devices and assists the hackers in gaining the control of the devices. Also Read | Top IoT Ethical Hacking Tools Impact of Cybercrime on the SocietyThere are several ways by which cybercrimes and cybercriminals affect the peace and integrity of the society:
Also Read | Application Security How to fight cyber crimes?Cybercrimes can be cured only by implementing cybersecurity in the systems. Follow the following steps to fight against cybercriminal activities:
Also Read | AI in Cybercrime No doubt, cybercrime nowadays is the greatest risk to human privacy, but by following the above steps and measures, its effect can be checked to an extent.
Cybercrime is vastly growing in the world of tech today. Criminals of the World Wide Web exploit internet users’ personal information for their own gain. They dive deep into the dark web to buy and sell illegal products and services. They even gain access to classified government information. Cybercrimes are at an all time high, costing companies and individuals billions of dollars annually. What’s even more frightening is that this figure only represents the last 5 years with no end in sight. The evolution of technology and increasing accessibility of smart tech means there are multiple access points within users’ homes for hackers to exploit. While law enforcement attempts to tackle the growing issue, criminal numbers continue to grow, taking advantage of the anonymity of the internet.
Cybercrime is defined as a crime where a computer is the object of the crime or is used as a tool to commit an offense. A cybercriminal may use a device to access a user’s personal information, confidential business information, government information, or disable a device. It is also a cybercrime to sell or elicit the above information online.
There are three major categories that cybercrime falls into: individual, property and government. The types of methods used and difficulty levels vary depending on the category.
DDoS attacks are used to make an online service unavailable and take the network down by overwhelming the site with traffic from a variety of sources. Large networks of infected devices known as Botnets are created by depositing malware on users’ computers. The hacker then hacks into the system once the network is down.
Botnets are networks from compromised computers that are controlled externally by remote hackers. The remote hackers then send spam or attack other computers through these botnets. Botnets can also be used to act as malware and perform malicious tasks.
This cybercrime occurs when a criminal gains access to a user’s personal information to steal funds, access confidential information, or participate in tax or health insurance fraud. They can also open a phone/internet account in your name, use your name to plan a criminal activity and claim government benefits in your name. They may do this by finding out user’s passwords through hacking, retrieving personal information from social media, or sending phishing emails.
This kind of cybercrime involves online harassment where the user is subjected to a plethora of online messages and emails. Typically cyberstalkers use social media, websites and search engines to intimidate a user and instill fear. Usually, the cyberstalker knows their victim and makes the person feel afraid or concerned for their safety.
Social engineering involves criminals making direct contact with you usually by phone or email. They want to gain your confidence and usually pose as a customer service agent so you’ll give the necessary information needed. This is typically a password, the company you work for, or bank information. Cybercriminals will find out what they can about you on the internet and then attempt to add you as a friend on social accounts. Once they gain access to an account, they can sell your information or secure accounts in your name.
PUPS or Potentially Unwanted Programs are less threatening than other cybercrimes, but are a type of malware. They uninstall necessary software in your system including search engines and pre-downloaded apps. They can include spyware or adware, so it’s a good idea to install an antivirus software to avoid the malicious download.
This type of attack involves hackers sending malicious email attachments or URLs to users to gain access to their accounts or computer. Cybercriminals are becoming more established and many of these emails are not flagged as spam. Users are tricked into emails claiming they need to change their password or update their billing information, giving criminals access.
Prohibited/Illegal Content
This cybercrime involves criminals sharing and distributing inappropriate content that can be considered highly distressing and offensive. Offensive content can include, but is not limited to, sexual activity between adults, videos with intense violent and videos of criminal activity. Illegal content includes materials advocating terrorism-related acts and child exploitation material. This type of content exists both on the everyday internet and on the dark web, an anonymous network.
These are usually in the form of ads or spam emails that include promises of rewards or offers of unrealistic amounts of money. Online scams include enticing offers that are “too good to be true” and when clicked on can cause malware to interfere and compromise information.
Exploit kits need a vulnerability (bug in the code of a software) in order to gain control of a user’s computer. They are readymade tools criminals can buy online and use against anyone with a computer. The exploit kits are upgraded regularly similar to normal software and are available on dark web hacking forums. The malicious tie to hacking was first documented in the 1970s when early computerized phones were becoming a target. Tech-savvy people known as “phreakers” found a way around paying for long distance calls through a series of codes. They were the first hackers, learning how to exploit the system by modifying hardware and software to steal long distance phone time. This made people realize that computer systems were vulnerable to criminal activity and the more complex systems became, the more susceptible they were to cybercrime. Fast Forward to 1990, where a large project named Operation Sundevil was exposed. FBI agents confiscated 42 computers and over 20,000 floppy disks that were used by criminals for illegal credit card use and telephone services. This operation involved over 100 FBI agents and took two years to track down only a few of the suspects. However, it was seen as a great public relations effort, because it was a way to show hackers that they will be watched and prosecuted. The Electronic Frontier Foundation was formed as a response to threats on public liberties that take place when law enforcement makes a mistake or participates in unnecessary activities to investigate a cybercrime. Their mission was to protect and defend consumers from unlawful prosecution. While helpful, it also opened the door for hacker loopholes and anonymous browsing where many criminals practice their illegal services. Crime and cybercrime have become an increasingly large problem in our society, even with the criminal justice system in place. Both in the public web space and dark web, cybercriminals are highly skilled and are not easy to find. Read below to learn more about how to combat cybercrime through cyber law. Impact of Cybercrime on SocietyCybercrime has created a major threat to those who use the internet, with millions of users’ information stolen within the past few years. It has also made a major dent in many nations’ economies. IBM president and CEO Ginni Rometty described cybercrime as “the greatest threat to every profession, every industry, every company in the world.” Read below for shocking statistics on cybercrime’s impact on our society to date.
How to Fight CybercrimeIt seems like in the modern age of technology, hackers are taking over our systems and no one is safe. The average dwell-time, or time it takes a company to detect a cyber breach, is more than 200 days. Most internet users are not dwelling on the fact that they may get hacked and many rarely change their credentials or update passwords. This leaves many people susceptible to cybercrime and it’s important to become informed. Educate yourself and others on the preventive measures you can take in order to protect yourself as an individual or as a business.
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Become vigilant when browsing websites.
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Flag and report suspicious emails.
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Never click on unfamiliar links or ads.
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Use a VPN whenever possible.
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Ensure websites are safe before entering credentials.
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Keep antivirus/application systems up to date.
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Use strong passwords with 14+ characters. |
What is it called when computers involved in crime crime?
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