Cyber Crimes and its Types

Types of Cyber Crimes

There are multiple types of Cyber Crimes. Let us look at some of the classifications of Cyber Crimes.

1. Cyber Terrorism: Cyber terrorism uses the computer and internet to perform violent acts that result in loss of life. Cyber terrorism may include different types of activities either by software or hardware for threatening the lives of individuals. In short, cyber terrorism is an act of terrorism committed through the use of cyberspace or computer resources. 
2. Cyber Extortion: Cyber extortion occurs when a website, e-mail server, or computer system is subjected to or harassed with repeated denial of service or other attacks by malicious hackers. These hackers demand a massive ransom in return for assurance to stop the attacks and to offer protection. 
3. Cyber Warfare: Cyber warfare uses digital attacks to target an online control system and networks. It involves both defensive and offensive operations concerning the threat of cyber attacks, espionage, and sabotage.  
4. Internet Fraud: Internet fraud is yet another type of deceit that uses the internet. It includes hiding information or providing incorrect information to deceive victims for property or money. Internet fraud is not considered a single, distinctive crime but covers a range of illegal and illicit actions committed in cyberspace. 
5. Cyber Stalking: In this kind of online harassment, the victim is subjected to a barrage of online messages and emails. In this case, these stalkers know their victims, and instead of offline stalking, they use the internet to stalk the victims. However, if they notice that cyberstalking is not having the desired effect, they begin offline stalking and cyberstalking to make the victims’ lives more miserable.

History Of Cybersecurity

When early computerized phones became a target in the 1970s, the malicious link to hacking was first recorded. Phreakers, or tech-savvy folks, discovered a way to avoid paying for long-distance calls by using a sequence of codes. They were the first hackers, figuring out how to take advantage of the system by changing hardware and software to steal long-distance phone calls. People began to recognize that computer systems were prone to criminal activities and that the more complicated the systems developed, the more vulnerable they were to Cybercrime.

Fast forward to 1990, when Operation Sundevil, a large-scale project, was revealed. According to FBI investigators, criminals used 42 computers and almost 20,000 floppy discs to use unlawful credit cards and telephone services. After a two-year investigation involving over 100 FBI agents, only a few suspects were found. However, it was viewed as a successful public relations campaign because it demonstrated to hackers that they would be monitored and penalized.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation was founded in reaction to dangers to civil liberties when law enforcement makes a mistake or engages in excessive activity in investigating Cybercrime. Their purpose was to defend and protect consumers from unjustified prosecution. While beneficial, it also opened the door for hacker flaws and anonymous browsing, which numerous criminals use.

Even having the criminal justice system in existence, crime and Cybercrime has become a growing problem in our society. Cybercriminals are very proficient and challenging to track down on the public and dark web. Read on to learn more about how cyber law can be used to combat Cybercrime.

Impact of Cybercrime on Society

Millions of users' personal information have been taken due to Cybercrime in recent years, posing a severe hazard to individuals who utilize the Internet. It has also had a significant impact on the economies of several countries. According to IBM President and CEO Ginni Rometty, Cybercrime is "the greatest threat to every profession, every sector, and every firm in the world." Read on for startling data on Cybercrime's current impact on society.

• The global cost of Cybercrime will be $6 trillion by 2021. 
• According to the Ponemon Institute's 2016 Cost of Data Breach Study, In 2016, firms that experienced at least one data breach lost an average of $4 million, according to Global Analysis.
• Data security breaches are caused by hostile intent in 48 percent of cases. Cybersecurity Ventures, ransomware spending, will exceed $11.5 billion in 2019.
• The number of vacant cybersecurity jobs will more than triple due to Cybercrime by 2021.

How to Fight against Cybercrime

In today's technological world, hackers appear to be taking over our networks, and no one seems to be safe. The average dwell-time, or the amount of time it takes for a corporation to identify a cyber breach, is over 200 days. Most internet users are indifferent about being hacked and rarely change or update their passwords. As a result, several people are vulnerable to Cybercrime. Thus it's critical to educate yourself. Educate yourself and others on the steps you may take to protect yourself or your company.

• When visiting websites, be cautious.
• Suspicious emails should be flagged and reported.
• Never click on unknown links or advertisements.
• When at all possible, use a VPN (Virtual private network).
• Before entering credentials, be sure the website is secure.
• Ensure that your antivirus and application systems are up to date.
• Use passwords that are at least 14 characters long.

Measures to take for Prevention

Use strong passwords - For each account, use a new password and username combination, and resist the urge to write them down. Weak passwords can be readily broken using methods such as brute force assault, rainbow table attack, and so on, therefore making them as difficult as possible. This includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Use trusted antivirus in devices - When using mobile and personal computers, make sure to use antivirus software that is both trustworthy and powerful. As a result, different virus attacks on devices are prevented.

Keep your social media accounts private - Limit access to your social media accounts to only your friends. Also, only make friends with people you already know.

Keep your device software up to date - Whenever you receive system software updates, install them all at the same time because the prior version might be readily exploited.

Make use of a secure network - Wi-Fi hotspots are insecure. Avoid using these networks for financial or business activities.

Never open attachments in spam emails - Email attachments in spam emails can infect a computer with malware and other forms of criminality. Never open an attachment from a sender you don't recognize.

FAQs

1. What is an I.P. address?

Ans: Internet Protocol Address is abbreviated as I.P. It's a one-of-a-kind number made up of four components separated by dots, such as 151.164.1.6. A unique I.P. number is assigned to each machine connected to the Internet; if a device does not have an I.P. number, it is not connected to the Internet. The I.P. address is similar to a phone number in that it identifies a specific computer on the Internet.

2. What do you mean by phishing?

Ans: Phishing is the unlawful and fraudulent act of impersonating a trustworthy entity or person in an electronic connection to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers.

3. How to report a cybercrime?

Ans: When registering a complaint, you must provide the following information, as well as an application letter sent to the head of the cybercrime investigation cell:

• Your name, mailing address, phone number, and specific details on how the crime was committed.
• The names and addresses of suspects and any other pertinent information.

4. What is cyberstalking?

Ans: Cyberstalking is merely an extension of physical stalking in which electronic channels such as the Internet are used to pursue, harass, or contact another person without their consent. Given the immense distances that the internet spans, this behavior is most frequently never manifested physically, but that does not make the chase any less distressing.

5. What is Computer Forgery and Counterfeiting?

Ans: Computer forgery and counterfeiting have become common everywhere, as it is straightforward to forge a document such as a birth certificate and use it to commit a crime. As a result, the validity of electronic records must be protected by making forgery using computers an explicit crime punishable by law.

Key Takeaways

In this article, we have extensively discussed cyber crimes and their types. We learned about the impact of cyber crime on society and how to fight against cyber crime.

We hope that this blog has helped you enhance your knowledge regarding cyber crimes & types and if you would like to learn more, check out our articles on What is Cyber security and the Difference between Cyber Security and Information Security. Refer to our guided paths on Coding Ninjas Studio to learn more about DSA, Competitive Programming, JavaScript, System Design, etc. Enroll in our courses and refer to the mock test and problems available, Take a look at the interview experiences and interview bundle for placement preparations.

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