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Ever seen an email or message that looked suspicious? Or heard of identities hijacked online? Welcome to the dark realm of cybercrime. According to the 2023 report by, the total number of data breaches, leaks, and unspecified events reached 3,205, impacting 353 million victims.

Being informed about cybercrimes isn't merely a matter of technological awareness; it can mean the difference between safeguarding personal data and falling victim to cybercrimes. That's what this blog is all about! Join us as we explore what cybercrime is, its impact, and ways to protect against it. By the end, you will gain a deeper understanding of the dark digital realm and acquire practical insights into how to securely navigate the digital age. 

What is Cybercrime?

Cybercrime refers to illegal activities conducted through digital means, such as computers, the internet, or network devices. While most cybercrime activities are committed for financial gain, occasionally, they aim to damage computers or networks for political or personal reasons. 

As technology advances, so does cybercrime. New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain present new challenges in the fight against cybercrime. For example, AI can be used for sophisticated phishing attacks or to automate cyberattacks. IoT devices increase the number of potential targets and entry points for cybercriminals. Lastly, cryptocurrencies provide anonymity for transactions, making it harder to trace illegal activities. 

These illegal activities pose a serious threat to individuals, organizations, and government entities and can result in significant financial loss, damaged reputation, and compromised records. 

Types of Cybercrime

Cybercrime encompasses a wide range of illegal activities conducted through the Internet or other forms of digital communication. Let鈥檚 explore in depth the various types of cybercrime. 

Hacking

Criminal hacking refers to the act of gaining unauthorized access to data in a computer or network. By exploiting weaknesses in these systems, hackers are able to steal data ranging from personal information and corporate secrets to government intelligence.

Some of the most common hacking techniques used by hackers include:

• Exploiting security vulnerabilities, which involve identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in software, hardware, or network configurations;

• Brute force attacks, which use trial and error to crack passwords, encryption keys, and login credentials;

• Social engineering tactics which involve criminals contacting individuals by phone or email to gain information such as passwords or bank information. 

Phishing

Phishing refers to using text messages, deceptive emails, websites, and other forms of communication to trick recipients into doing something that undermines their security. Phishing scams often involve malicious software like viruses, trojans, and worms.

Phishing scams can come in many forms. One example is spear phishing, which aims to obtain sensitive information or access to computer systems by sending personalized messages via email or phone. 

Vishing is another tactic that involves making phone calls or leaving voice messages while pretending to be a reputable source. Hackers can also use whaling, which targets high-profile employees to extract an organization's sensitive information and data.

Malware

Malware is malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. It's typically created with malicious intent to exploit devices and networks and often results in data theft, system failures, or financial loss.  

There are many types of malware, including:

• Viruses are self-replicating programs that attach to other programs or files and can spread across computers and networks when infected files are shared. They can corrupt or delete files and decrease system performance.  

• Worms are standalone malware programs that replicate themselves to spread across networks without attaching to other programs. They can consume network bandwidths, overload servers, and spread quickly across interconnected systems, causing widespread disruption.

• Trojans masquerade as legitimate software but contain malicious code and often rely on social engineering tactics to trick users into downloading them. They can delete, modify, or capture data, gain unauthorized access to networks, and harvest a device as a part of a botnet.

• Spyware is designed to secretly monitor and collect information about users' activities without their consent, such as internet activity, banking login credentials, and passwords. As it compromises privacy and exposes sensitive information, it can lead to identity theft or financial fraud. 

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are a type of malware that can prevent users from accessing all of their personal data on the system by encrypting victims' files and blocking access until a ransom is paid. Ransomware often spreads through phishing emails that contain malicious attachments or drive-by downloading.

Due to their disruptive and often costly nature, these attacks can have severe consequences for individuals and organizations. Even if the organization is well-prepared and has functional backups, restoring the affected systems can take hours, causing significant disruption of business operations.

Ransomware payments in 2023 surpassed, much higher than the $567 million paid in 2022. Other financial costs include the loss of revenue and the cost to remediate the incident. 

Identity theft

Identity theft occurs when an individual accesses a person's personal information, such as their name, date of birth, financial records, credit card details, and Social Security number, and uses it without permission. Cybercriminals can obtain personal data through phishing, hacking, and data breaches to open bank accounts, file false tax returns, apply for credit, and commit other crimes in that person's name.

Specific types of identity theft include financial, medical, and tax identity theft and social media impersonation. These crimes can have serious consequences, negatively affecting your credit, getting you sued for debts that aren't yours, and may even get you arrested. 

Financial fraud

Financial fraud encompasses various forms of fraudulent activities conducted over the internet to steal money or sensitive financial information from individuals or organizations. Common tactics cybercriminals use to commit financial fraud include fake online stores, investment scams, and credit card skimming.

Cybercriminals attack their victims by creating a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure them into making financial decisions. They also impersonate trusted entities like banks, well-known brands, or government agencies to gain the victims' trust and deceive them into providing financial information or making payments.

Financial fraud can cause direct financial losses and emotional distress. To protect yourself from such attacks you should:

• Ensure websites use HTTPS encryptions for secure communication;

• Review  bank and credit card statements regularly;

• Stay  informed about common online scams and fraud tactics.

Cyberstalking and harassment

Cyberstalking and online harassment are forms of harassment and intimidation carried out through digital means, often to cause emotional distress or harm to the victim. Some tactics used by cyberstalkers and harassers include:

• Persistent messaging, which involves sending continuous emails or messages to victims, often with threatening or abusive content;

• Doxxing, which involves revealing and publishing private or identifying information about the victim, including their home address, workplace, and phone number;

• Social media abuse which involves posting abusive, defamatory comments and creating fake profiles to harass the victim or entice others to join the harassment.

Victims often experience heightened anxiety and fear for their safety, especially if cyberstalking involves threats of physical harm. It can also create a pervasive sense of vulnerability and loss of control. They can also cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and sleep disturbances.

How to Protect Against Cybercrime

Some sensible tips to protect your organization and personal data from cybercrimes include:

• Regularly update your operating systems, devices, software, and websites with the latest patches to safeguard your data. Enable automatic updates whenever feasible.

• Using anti-virus software like,,, and is a great way to protect your system from attacks. Anti-virus software allows you to detect and remove threats before they become a problem.

• Stay informed about current cyber threats and trends and adapt security measures accordingly. If you are an employer, conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions for employees about the best cybersecurity practices.

• Create strong passwords that are difficult to guess using a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easy-to-guess passwords like birthdays or common words. Implement two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.

• Never open attachments in spam emails, as this is a classic way to infect your computer. Exercise caution when clicking links or downloading email attachments, especially from unknown or suspicious sources.

• Never give out personal information over the phone or via email unless you're entirely sure the line or email is safe. Make sure that you're speaking to the person you think you are.

• Be mindful of which website URLs you visit. Avoid clicking on links with unfamiliar URLs that look like spam. If your internet security product includes functionality to secure online transactions, enable it before conducting financial transactions online.

• Secure your data by regularly backing up information. Effective data protection measures like off-site backups, encryption, and secure cloud storage are critical against cyber threats like ransomware that could steal, damage, or destroy your data.

Conclusion

The pervasive threat of cybercrime underscores the critical need for protection, especially as the landscape of cybercrime is vast and constantly evolving, encompassing a wide array of potential attacks. By staying informed about evolving threats and adopting robust cybersecurity practices, we can strengthen our defenses against malicious actors.

If you are passionate about protecting vulnerable data and standing on the front lines against cyber attacks, we encourage you to consider furthering your education and pursuing a master's degree. Check out our online Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity or Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management and find out how this degree helps you build a strong foundation in cybersecurity demands. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common type of cybercrime?

Phishing is the most common cybercrime in the U.S., with individuals affected in 2023. 

What should I do if I become a victim of cybercrime?

If you are a cybercrime victim, change all your passwords, especially for bank accounts. If you think your computer has been compromised, you may want to have it professionally cleaned. If you think your bank accounts have been compromised, consider freezing your cards. In any case, keep records of everything related to the incident and file a report with the (IC3).