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Current Issue Volume No: 1 Issue No: 1

Term Paper on The Nature of Cyber Crime and Cyber Threats: A Criminological Review

Ashraful mozid  1 ,   nelufer yesmen  2  .

1 Department of Criminology and Police Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail -1902, Bangladesh

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology and Police Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail -1902, Bangladesh

Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in contemporary age. The first recorded cybercrime happened in France in the year 1820. It was not as sophisticated as cybercrime we know in our world today, but, still, that was a crime. Cybercrime has evolved globally as the online platform is progressing. While progress is made in the battle against cybercrime there still remains a wide gap in the consistency of laws across international borders. The main objectives of this study are to explore the nature of cybercrime in developing countries, find out the cyber threats for terrorist activities and explain cybercrime and threats from criminological aspects. This is a descriptive study which is based on secondary data. This study is based on previous researches & studies. this paper discusses the nature of cybercrime in developing countries. It could allow developed countries to understand better the national and international effects of that cyber threats, to determine the conditions of current regional and international agreements, and to help countries create a sound legal framework. And then we notice the impact of cyber threats all over the world. At last, we discuss cybercrime from criminological point of view. Cybercrime is not limited to two neighboring countries and cross-border conflicts; an attempt could be conducted from another world. It is fearful to see cyber wars as the easiest way to carry out sabotaging rather than wars such as cold war, chemical and biological wars, terrorist wars or jihadist attacks. The international legal framework aims by the International Criminal Court to keep offenders accountable for their actions. The government has by far the biggest burden and obstacle in raising knowledge of cybercrime among the people.

Author Contributions

Academic Editor: Suleyman Korkut, Department of Forest Industrial Engineering, Forestry Faculty, Düzce University, 81620 Düzce, Turkey.

Checked for plagiarism: Yes

Review by: Single-blind

Copyright ©  2020 Ashraful Mozid, et al.

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Introduction and Background of the Study

Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in contemporary age. The first recorded cybercrime happened in France in the year 1820. It was not as sophisticated as cybercrime we know in our world today, but, still that was a crime. The fact is that the sophistication of crime in cyber space has grown very rapidly from time to time. If ten years ago people committed cybercrime in a much simpler activity known as computer crime, now people committed cybercrime in a much complicated crime such as phishing, carding, probing, stalking, virus attacking and many other illegal activities with unfamiliar names 1 , 2 , 3 . Cybercrime may include conventional criminal activities such as stealing, fraud, falsification, slander, and mischief, all of which are subject to a country's criminal laws. Computer misuse has also given birth to a range of new age offenses that the special laws introduced to penalize such crimes are combating. For example, Bangladesh describes those offenses which are not protected by the penal code in Tatha O Jogajog Projukty Ain,2006 4 . And so it is possible to say that the 1860 Penal Code is insufficient to counter cybercrime. One of the emerging problems of today's world is combating cyber crime with a global population of up to 7,5 billion and an Internet population of 42 percent. Users also may be puzzled about how cybercrime is classified. While this definition is rather vague, cybercrime refers to illegal actions performed using an online means or directed at a computer-based platform because of the relative area of creativity or lack of a measurable existence. Similar definitions are used for cybercrime identification. It can be broadly defined by the introduction of computer technology as a criminal offense created or made possible. Although it seems to be a simple task, it is not easy to define cybercrimes. The difficulty lies in determining clearly what cybercrimes should be treated as. No globally accepted cybercrime concept exists 5 .

Girasa (2002:68) provides a slight different definition on cybercrime. Girasa defines cybercrime as a criminal activity in which computer is used as the main component. This definition is indeed similar with the previous definition. The only difference here is the use of computer as the main component, not as the main tool as what Forester and Morison suggested. The word component is not far in its meaning with the word tool. Both mean part of something which is used to help people doing thing. Therefore, the first and second definition is considered not clear enough to define cybercrime 6 . Tavani defines cybercrime as a criminal activity which is only possible to be done with cyber technology in a cyber space. This definition gives clearer boundaries of cybercrime. Activities such as making computer viruses and spreading them through internet is definitely a cybercrime, meanwhile pornography through internet is not purely a cybercrime. Based on the definition, it is still possible for people to spread pornography by using other media such as CD or DVD 7

Cybercrime has evolved globally as the online platform is progressing. While progress is made in the battle against cyber crime (especially with the Cyber Crime Agreement of the Council of Europe), there still remains a wide gap in the consistency of laws across international borders. The bombing in Times Square in 2010 would be a good example of the extremist use of the internet as a powerful tool. Central to this plot was Faisal Shahzad. Shahzad used public web cameras to conduct reconnaissance of his targets 8 . In 2005, Younis Tsouli, a London-based Moroccan immigrante imprisoned for distributing bombs and propaganda from al Qaeda, used cybercrime to fund his work. A web of websites and forums of Jihadist propaganda were developed by Tsouli and his associates on servers which Tsouli compromise 9 .

 For one individual case, ISIL supporters in the United Kingdom have been using social engineering to get pensioners off £ 160,000. The proceeds from this project is believed to be used to finance their journeys to Syria and Iraq to enter and fight ISIL  10 . U.S. companies spend about $67 billion every year struggling with electronic fraud and malware systems like viruses and spyware, according to federal Bureau of Investigation's figures. The Irs, the Justification and National Crime Center also reports a gross $559 million per year for a variety of frauds, including defrauds seeking advance viability in conjunction with substantial returns from the bogus lottery or assets, non-fulfillment of goods or payments, and other opponents. The FC3 also calculates a loss amount of $559 million per month for fraud. The figure has dramatically doubled by an additional $265 million in 2008 each year, as in 2009 11 .

As a poor country like Bangladesh face this problem seriously. Recently this problem is increasing rapidly. Although various steps are taken by the government to stop this crime, they cannot become successful. The subject matter of the study is to explain how criminals helps\ increases cyber crime. Now cyber crime has become a crucial problem in Bangladesh. It is increasing day by day. Though this is a serious problem in Bangladesh, there are a few people on this topic. So, it is essential to work on Cybercrime. It will help us to know about the causes of cybercrime in Bangladesh 12 . The Police Headquarters have confirmed that from 2012 to June 2017, there were 1417 cases brought under the Cyber Security Act 2006. In 748 these incidents, the police brought complaints and issued final reports for 179. Of these 19 cases, 48 in 2013, 149 in 2014, 303 in 2015, 546 in 2016 and 352 in 2017 were filed by June 2012, 19 were filed in 2012. According to the Police Criminal Investigation Centre (CID), various police departments are focused on cybercrime. Moreover, CID alone has a forensic laboratory to help detect or prosecute these crimes. When it opened in 2013, the unit registered 25 complaints. Then it rose to more than 70 in 2014. In 2015, there were 217 complaints, in 2016 there were 575 and until July there were more than 600. The bulk of the alleged victims were women. The counter-terrorism and transnational crime (CTTC) cybercrime unit stated that they have received over 500 complaints since the unit was launched, including cases filed after 150 inquiries. Another 55 cases were under investigation 13 . There are several theories in the area of criminology which attempt to explain why some people have deviated, while others refrain from it. While these ideas were originally intended to describe crimes in the "real world," they can still be used in the field of cybercrime. These include theory of social learning, poor self-control theory, general pressure theory, concept of anger, daily task theory, and theory of avoidance of crime. In this article, elements of these hypotheses are explored in order to determine the best explains cybercrime. According to a study performed by Shirley McGuire (McGuire,1997:47) a specialist in psychology of the University of San Francisco, the majority of teenagers who hack and invade computer systems are doing it for fun rather than with the aim of causing harm. Shirley McGuire said that the motives of teens are often unclear to adults. In the region of San Diego, she carried out an open project and asked about 4,800 graduates 14 . At the American Psychological Association Convention her findings were discussed.

38% of teenagers were involved in software piracy;

18% of all children who have admitted that they are accessing and using the data stored on other personal computers or websites

13% of all respondents said that device or data file changes have been made.

The study revealed that just 1 in 10 hackers wished to do some damage or earn money. Many youth carry out illicit machine excitement acts to get excited. Now, many cyber policemen worry more about Orkut as many fake profiles are generated and therefore contribute to crime 14 .

To investigate the actions of cyber criminals, Kshetri (2005) uses psychology, culture, international relations and warfare. He notes that the various kind of network attacks vary from countries worldwide in terms of regulative, legal and cognitive validity. Symbolic significance and criticality, the digital value degree and defense defense weakness are part of the cyber criminal's selection criteria for the target networkThe most serious risks to information protection have been identified by Riem (Anthony Riem, 2001:37) not outside criminals wanting entry but by employees, consultants and contractors working within the organization 15 .

Freda Adler(1991:79) said that, technology criminals creates their own forms of crime by using computer as an instrument of crime tool to commit attacks on the information: such as thefts of information thefts of services and even traditional crimes such as child pornography, confidence schemes and illegal gambling 15

N.V.paranjape (2008-09:141) expressed that, Intellectual property crimes and also indicated on blackmailing based on information gained from computerized files such as personal history, sexual preferences, financial data, medical information and so on.

This research helps to find out how cyber crime become a new threat to security and cyber criminals enhances cyber crime. And it may be expected that the research findings will describe the perfect scenario of cyber crime which is caused due to many problems. The research has a great socioeconomic and policy value as well as in the practical application 16 .

Objective of the Study

The main objectives of this study are-

To explore the nature of cybercrime in developing countries.

To find out the cyber threats for terrorist activities

To explain cyber crime and threats from criminological aspect

Methodology

Methodology is a set of step to perform a particular task. Methodology involves with the sources of data, analytical review, findings and recommendation. This is a descriptive study which is based on secondary data. This study is based on previous researches & studies. Data has been collected from journals, articles, books, reports, newspapers, publications and some authentic websites. All information are collected according to research objectives.

Findings of the study describes according to their objectives. At first, this paper discuss about the nature of cyber crime in developing countries. It could allow developed countries to understand better the national and international effects of that cyber threats, to determine the conditions of current regional and international agreements, and to help countries create a sound legal framework. And then we notice the impact of cyber threats all over the world. At last we discuss about the cyber crime in criminological point of view.

The Nature of Cybercrime in Developing Countries

The quick digitalization has taken place in developing countries such as Botswana, Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Tanzania. In Asia the rapid growth in internet use, including 10 times or more access increases in China, Indonesia and India since 2002, has also been associated with significant cybercrime increases. The majority of the UN Sustainable Development Goals now include digitalization. International organizations and donor countries continually utilize digital technology as their development goals–social, political and economic. In the background of the Budapest Convention of 2001, the law-enforcement reaction is quickly analyzed throughout Asia. They describe the nature of cybercrime, and equate the laws and regulations in Asian countries with the terms of the Convention. It covers the' beard' or the material and the illegal products such as botnets. While issues arise around cloud computing, social media, wireless / smart phone apps, and other developments in digital technologies, the difficulties of creating successful cross-border cyber criminal’s surveillance in Asia also are dealt with 17

As most cybercrimes are transnational, disparity in legislation and regulations across the country's frontiers renders collaboration in cross-border cybercrimes particularly difficult for governments. As Katyal (2003:180) pointed out, it is increasingly difficult for many countries to extend their national legislation to practices that are considered offensive or detrimental to local taste or community. The world's Internet users in March 2011 were projected to be 2,95 billion (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2011). Throughout Asia and the Pacific area (i.e. Asia and Oceania) among all Internet users, 45 percent are based. In the Asian and Pacific world, China is home to nearly half of internet users 18 . India is the second largest, currently 100 million Internet user, led by China, Korea (South Korea) and the Philippines. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand have over 70% of their total internet users online, while fewer than 10% of the people are involved in developing countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. The finding of strategies to respond and solutions to cybercrime threats, especially for developing countries, is a major challenge. A comprehensive anti-cybercrime strategy generally contains technical protection measures, as well as legal instruments 19 . Developing countries will implement protection measures into the Internet roll out from the outset, as while the expense of the Internet services may initially increase, the long-term benefits in mitigating cybercrime costs and disruption are substantial and far exceed any potential spending on technological protection measures and network protections 20 . Nevertheless, because of their lower standards of security and safety, the risks associated with the weaker legislation may impact developing countries more significantly (ITU Anti-Spam Legislation Survey 2005, "p. 5). Customers and businesses must not only be covered by conventional firms, but also by online companies or Internet companies. Failure to secure the internet may contribute to significant problems in developing countries fostering the development and inclusion of e-business in online services. For both advanced countries and developing countries, the implementation of strategic initiatives to support cyber security and effective anti-crime regulation is important. Developing countries have to put their counter-cybercrime policies in line from the start with international standards (Spam Issue in Developing Countries 2005, page 4).

Developing countries such as Bangladesh lack sufficient natural resources and try to achieve economic development by using the ICT sector. Throughout recent years, a growing number of countries have explored ICT resources, established guiding principles and developed a national ICT plan as part of the overall National Development Strategy. In particular, ICT has been a key player. ICTs are the main drivers of socio-economic development for Bangladesh (Clause 1.3 of the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy October, 2002). Experts from IT say nearly 90% of cybercrimes remain unreported. The condition is deteriorating every day for Bangladesh. Bangladesh reports the most recent cyberattacks and crimes:

1. Blackmailing girl by capturing their nude photographs and video on the sly and threatening to expose publicly. Such incidents are caused frequently by their boyfriends and others.

2. There have been various Community platforms used by girls and boys to share telephone numbers for sharing secret video or even nude images, and so on.

3. Hacking in the website of Bangladesh Computer Society, which took place after a few days of a 3 day-long ‘Regional Seminar on Cyber Crime’ in Dhaka (www.cnewsvoice.com).

4. E-mail threatening the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from a cybercafe (www.thedailystar.net).

5. Hacking into the Internet account of Barisal DC office in 2003 AD, the incident was revealed after the DC office received a heavily bloated Internet bill and lodged a complaint with the Bangladesh Tar and Telephone Board (BTTB) The Daily Star Sunday July 13 2003

6. Hacking took place in the website of Bangladesh Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in 2008, during the access to www.rab.gov.bd, the website read: "Hacked by Shahee_Mirza.” (www.thedailystar.net).

7. Hacking the mail of BRAC Bangladesh.

8. Stealing the transaction report of Dhaka Stock Exchange through hacking.

Once the internet was established, the founding fathers of the internet had little idea that the internet was also misused for crime. Nonetheless, it's happening all over the world, loosely and mostly. The problem now is whether such offenses can be dealt with using traditional or exceptional approaches.

Cyber Threats for Terrorist Activities

In the 90ies, a discussion focused on network based attacks on critical infrastructure ("cyber terrorism"), such as the use of information technology and transport and energy supply in armed conflicts, took the form of "cyberwar" network use by terrorist organisations. The use of computer technology as well as cyber-dependent violence has become more common challenges from terrorist groups. The notion that terrorists might result in a massive death loss, global economic mess or destruction of the world through piracy of critical infrastructure networks caught public imagination. national imagination. Cyber terror acts are known to be a potential target for air traffic control facilities, nuclear power plants, electricity grids, schools and equity markets. The notion is not simply to create a new generation of cyber terrorism, but to strengthen the capacity to conduct a destructive cyber-attack, for example by Islamic State, Al-Qaeda or a certain known terror organization. “In today’s world”, according to former US President Barack Obama, “acts of terror could come not only from a few extremists in suicide vests but from a few key strokes on the computer—a weapon of mass disruption.” What we do know, on the other hand, is that terrorist organization’s use the internet on a daily basis for a range of activities including propaganda, recruitment and communication. Islamic State has shown particular prowess in using social media to inspire vulnerable individuals around the world to join its cause. These uses of technology by terrorist groups pose major challenges and should remain the focus of cyber security efforts in counter-terrorism 21 . Network protection vulnerabilities have been demonstrated clearly by the proliferation of viruses and botnet assaults. Successful militant internet attempts are probable, but the significance of risks is hard to assess (Terrorist Capabilities for Cyberattack, 2007, page 13). Typically, the style of terrorist activity which characterized the beginning of the 21st century was planned to prepare high-mortality incidents, to attain radical groups ' targets and both the power of the attackers and the weakness of the fired population. Such attacks often attract lawmakers ' attention to and goad acts that could be used to boost the group's credibility and recruit new members for radical causes. The social and political success of such efforts in post-9/11 environment has only increased the trend (The Future of Terror, Crime, and Militancy, page 239 etseq ). Everything shifted after the bombings on September 11, which contributed to the beginning of an extensive discourse on the use of ICTs for attackers. Saying that the perpetrators were using the Internet to plan the assault encouraged everything debate (http://www.aci.net/kalliste/electric.htm.). While the assaults were not cyber-attacks, the Web played a role in the planning of the 9/11 assault as the party who did not perpetrate a web-based attack. Different ways terrorist organizations use the Internet have been found in this context (CNN, News, 04.08.2004) 22 Today, it is known that terrorists use ICTs and the Internet for:

Information gathering

Preparation of real-world attacks

Publication of training material

Communication

Terrorist financing

Attacks against critical infrastructures

Many terrorist organizations depend on third-party financial resources. Following the 9/11 attacks, tracking this financial transaction has become one of the main ways of combating terrorism. The reality that financial means required to conduct attacks are not inherently high is one of the main problems in this regard (CRS Report for Congress, Terrorist Financing: The 9/11 Commission Recommendation, page 4). Web services can be used in many forms to fund terrorism. Terrorist organizations may use electronic payment systems to make donations online (Terrorists, propaganda and the Internet, Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 53, No. 7 (2001), page 253). You can use websites to publish information about donations such as which bank accounts for transactions should be used. The Hezbollah Tahrir organization, which publishes bank account data for potential donors, was an example of this approach. ( Weimann in USIP Report, How Terrorists use the Internet, 2004, page 7). The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was one of the first terrorist organizations, which collected donations through credit cards. Another approach is to donate credit card online (Terrorist Use the Internet and Fighting Back, Information and Security, 2006, page 4) 23 . All methods involve finding and monitoring financial transactions using the information published. Anonymous electronic payment systems are therefore likely to become increasingly popular. The fact that cyber warfare is an evolving danger must be mitigated. The population of digital devices is growing rapidly, rendering them the first-line susceptible to a cyber-attack. A prerequisite assumption therefore is that our own enemies have to reassess cyber-attack on a regular basis over time because of the emergent existence of the digital economy, technology technologies, and skills (The Future of Terror, Crime, and Militancy, 2001, page 42).

Cybercrime and Threats from Criminological Aspects

Cyber-reality is extremely paradoxical from a criminological perspective. Deviancy and violation of "normal" practices and values is part of all phases of cyber-space development. Professional innovation has achieved primary importance among hackers only because the idea of exclusivity, anonymity and copyright transcended their community. Cyberspace transparency has always been culturally determined and an intrinsic feature of the hacker culture. Cyber crime is committed electronically, and is often not clearly linked to any geographical position, unlike conventional crime committed in one geographical location. A concerted global solution to the cybercrime issue is therefore required. This is mainly because there are a number of problems that hinder effective cybercrime reduction. The weaknesses in technology, law and cyber criminology present some of the major issues (   Professor Hamid Jahankhani ,2003:13).

Most criminal viewpoints describe criminality on the physical, economic and environmental aspects, and see crime as happening in a single geographical location 24 . The description of crime allowed crime to be identified and ultimately adapted for the specific target group for crime prevention, monitoring and calculating approaches. This function, however, cannot be conducted. As a consequence, it is virtually impossible to identify areas of identifiable offenses that cause cybercrimes. In addition, this makes the criminal viewpoint worthless on the grounds of spatial variations (Brvar, 1982:92). Criminology thus encourages the motives of offenders to be identified by examining the social traits and position of perpetrators, which helps explain whether crimes committed by individuals with particular characteristics are widespread (Computer Crime: A Criminological Overview,2001:35). But in the case of cybercrimes the association of widespread acceptance of conventional crime with social exclusion and criminality can not be valid and cyber criminals, like traditional criminal perceptions, are quite' atypical.' There are therefore no useful explanations for cybercrimes from the current perspectives of criminology which connect marginalization and social exclusion to crime. Unless the causes are known, effective measures to combat cybercrime can difficultly be implemented by law enforcement agencies and the government (Levi, S. 1984). Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution).

Self-Control and Space Transition Theory

K. Jaishankar has developed a theory called ‘Space Transition Theory’in order to explain the causation of crimes in the cyberspace. I felt the need for a separate theory of cyber crimes because the general theoretical explanations were found to be inadequate as an overall explanation for the phenomenon of cybercrimes (Jaishankar 2008). He published this theory as a chapter in a book titled “Crimes of the Internet” edited by Frank Schmalleger& Michael Pittaro, published by Prentice Hall (2008: 283-301). "Space Transition Theory" is an interpretation of the essence of people's behavior in physically and on a cyberspace which demonstrates their conformity and non-conformity (Jaishankar 2008). Space transition involves the movement of persons from one space to another (e.g., from physical space to cyberspace and vice versa). Theory of space transfer suggests that when they shift from place to room, people act differently. The concept is nowadays, as is probably the most widely discussed in cyber crimeology, a significant scientific principle in criminal literature. This hypothesis discusses the creation of cyberspace as a new venue for criminality and describes the origin of cyberspace crimes (Jaishankar, 2008). The advancement of the concept of space transfer played a key role in the creation of cybercrime hypotheses. Because it came at a time when no other social scientist was able to explain as clearly as Jaishankar the overarching trend of cybercrime.

Propositions of Space Transition Theory

1. Persons, with repressed criminal behavior (in the physical space) have a propensity to commit crime in cyberspace, which, otherwise they would not commit in physical space, due to their status and position.

2. Identity Flexibility, Dissociative Anonymity and lack of deterrence factor in the cyberspace provides the offenders the choice to commit cybercrime.

3. Criminal behavior of offenders in cyberspace is likely to be imported to Physical space which, in physical space may be exported to cyberspace as well.

4. Intermittent ventures of offenders in to the cyberspace and the dynamic spatiotemporal nature of cyberspace provide the chance to escape.

5. (a) Strangers are likely to unite together in cyberspace to commit crime in the physical space. (b) Associates of physical space are likely to unite to commit crime in cyberspace.

6. Persons from closed society are more likely to commit crimes in cyberspace than persons from open society.

7. The conflict of Norms and Values of Physical Space with the Norms and Values of cyberspace may lead to cybercrimes.

Because criminology has begun to see the rise of cyberspace as a major focal point for criminal activity, a new theory is needed to explain why cybercrime is happening. The above principle of spatial transformation outlines the criminal conduct in cyberspace. The Space Transformation Theory needs to be tested to figure out if it addresses cybercrime 25 . The second issue of the paper includes a wide range of articles written by emerging and established experts in the field of cyber criminology. The first essay by Russell Smith explores how developments in ICTs have created new crime problems, but also helped to prevent, track, evaluate, prosecute and execute abuse. Michael L. Pittaro's second article is a guide to online harassment and intimidation, which is called cyberstalk. In this article he addressed how the internet has encouraged violence. He claims that cyberstalking is not so simplistic but an evolution of online harassment as conventional stalking. The author gives several examples of cyber stalking and how the suspect is quickly abused. Each problem includes two book reviews. Nicholas Chantler, of Queensland University of Technology reviewed the book titled "CYBERCRIME–The Reality of the Threat by Nigel Phair. He believes that this book is an easy-to-read document for addressing cybercrime, based on the experience of the writer as a federal agency at the Australian Crime Centre and an Australian Federal Police. He notes that Internet users who get filmed on the site of on-line crime will decrease their trust in e-commerce 14 . The profile of cybercrime criminals is also mentioned briefly. Often identified are the global analyses of the elements of cyber crime. The book discusses cybercrime under a broad range of headings-recommendations for and expectations for the law enforcement action-such as unauthorized malware, crime of identification, phishing, critical infrastructure security, intellectual property, messaging, terrorism and compliance.

In fact, versatility, dissociative privacy, easy online communication and lack of protection are attracting more and more conventional offenders to the Web. In this analysis also the theory that cyberspace is used by cyber criminals if there is a discrepancy between the principles and values of physical space 26 . Although few scholars test the theory of space transformation, there are some issues with the feasibility of testing the theory and several scholars have underlined this (Holt, Bossler, &Spellar, 2015; Holt &Bossler, 2016). It is to be noted that getting data of the cyber crime offenders is an onerous task and hence the difficulty of testing the space transition theory ensued. Even, Kethineni, Cao and Dodge (2017, pp-13-14) note that: While case studies provide some evidence for space transition theory, further data is needed to empirically evaluate these ideas. "Having a large population of cyber criminals will be challenging at this point and this problem may be addressed in the future 27 . Cybercrimes will continue to grow, and in the future there is a thin line between offline and Web criminals, which will allow more cyber offenders and will make testing the hypothesis of the space transformation far simpler than is currently the case.

Cyber crime is not limited to two neighboring countries and cross-border conflicts; an attempt could be conducted from another world. It is fearful to see cyber wars as the easiest way to carry out sabotaging rather than wars such as cold war, chemical and biological wars, terrorist wars or jihadist attacks. Crime involving a machine or a cybercrime includes any crime involving a device and a network. The machine may or may be the subject of the crime committee. Dr. DebaratiHalder and Dr. K. Jaishankar (2011) defines Cybercrimes as: "Offences that are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm to the victim directly or indirectly, using modern telecommunication networks such as Internet (Chat rooms, emails, notice boards and groups) and mobile phones (SMS/MMS)" 28 . These offenses that endanger the protection and financial health of a country. Issues related to these types of crimes have become popular, particularly ones related to breaking, copyright violations, child pornography and childcare. Privacy problems also occur when confidential information is legally or otherwise lost or intercepted. Internationally, cybercrimes are perpetrated by both states and non-state actors, including hacking, financial fraud, and other cross-border offences. Operation that crosses international borders and affects the desires of at least one nation state is sometimes referred to as cyber warfare 29 . The international legal framework aims by the International Criminal Court to keep offenders accountable for their actions. The government has by far the biggest burden and obstacle in raising knowledge of cybercrime among the people.

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Introduction to Cybercrime

Module 1 explores the intricacies of cybercrime, providing a comprehensive overview of its scientific study, classification, and the various issues, trends, and challenges it presents in the modern world. Students will learn the significance of studying cybercrime from a scientific perspective, understanding the methodologies and purpose behind such research. The course will cover a detailed classification of cybercrime, highlighting the diverse types of cyber offenses and the strategies used to categorize them. It will also explore current issues and trends within the realm of cybercrime, discussing the latest challenges faced by individuals, businesses, and governments. Key concepts related to cybercrime, such as cybersecurity measures, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations, will are thoroughly discussed to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of the subject. Finally, the module will examine the economic impact of cybercrime, assessing its costs to both victims and society at large. Furthermore, students will learn about various classification strategies, gaining the ability to distinguish between the different forms of cybercrime effectively. By the end of this module, students will have a deeper understanding of cybercrime, be equipped with the knowledge to analyze, classify, and potentially mitigate the effects of cyber activities.

Learning Objectives

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• discuss why and how cybercrime is scientifically studied,
• summarize the classification of cybercrime,
• describe current issues, trends, and problems associated with cybercrime,
• discuss key concepts related to cybercrime,
• identify current issues, trends, and problems in cybercrime,
• examine the cost of cybercrime, and
• illustrate classification strategies for classifying cybercrime.

Key Terms/Concepts

Carter’s Classification Computer Abuse Computer crime Computer-related Crime Cybercrime Cyber Victimization IT-enabled deviance

Defining cybercrime presents several challenges, rooted in the complex, evolving nature of technology and the diverse forms of criminal behavior it facilitates. One primary challenge is the fluidity of the term “cybercrime” itself. The rapid pace of technological advancements continuously expands the scope of what constitutes cybercrime, making it difficult to establish a static definition. As new technologies emerge, so do new methods of committing crimes, necessitating frequent revisions of legal definitions and frameworks.

Another significant challenge is the diverse range of activities that fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Cybercrime can encompass a wide array of illegal activities, from hacking and identity theft to cyberstalking and the distribution of illegal content. The broadness of this spectrum complicates efforts to develop a unified definition, as different stakeholders, such as law enforcement, legislators, and international bodies, may emphasize different aspects of cybercrime based on their priorities and jurisdictions.

Jurisdictional issues further complicate the definition of cybercrime. Cybercrimes often transcend national borders, making it challenging to apply a consistent legal definition across different legal systems. Variations in legal frameworks, cultural perspectives, and enforcement capabilities between countries can lead to inconsistencies in what is considered a cybercrime and how it is prosecuted. This lack of uniformity hinders international cooperation in combating cybercrime and creates loopholes that criminals can exploit.

Moreover, the distinction between cybercrime and traditional crime is increasingly blurred. Many crimes now involve a digital component, raising questions about whether they should be classified as cybercrimes or traditional crimes with cyber elements. This overlap challenges legal systems to adapt to a landscape where the digital and physical realms are increasingly intertwined, requiring nuanced and flexible definitions of cybercrime.

Computer crime refers to any illegal activity that is facilitated through the use of a computer or networked device. This type of crime may include a wide range of activities, such as hacking, computer fraud, identity theft, cyberstalking, online harassment, and the distribution of malicious software.

Some of the most common types of computer crime include:

• Hacking: Unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or websites.
• Computer fraud: The use of technology to deceive individuals or organizations for financial gain, such as phishing scams, credit card fraud, and identity theft.
• Malware: The use of malicious software to damage or disrupt computer systems, networks, or devices.
• Cyberstalking: The use of technology to harass or threaten individuals, often through social media or other online platforms.
• Cyberbullying: The use of technology to harass, intimidate, or bully individuals, often through social media or other online platforms.

Computer crime is a growing problem as more and more individuals and organizations rely on technology for their daily activities. To combat this type of crime, law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity professionals must work together to identify and prosecute offenders, as well as implement effective security measures to prevent future incidents.

Historically, cybercrime has been difficult to define precisely as it is a complex and evolving concept that encompasses a wide range of illegal activities conducted in the digital realm. Several factors contribute to the difficulty in pinning down a single, universally accepted definition of cybercrime:

Because technology is constantly evolving, and as new technologies emerge, so do new methods of crime and deviance. What may have been considered a cybercrime in the past may not fit the definition today, and new types of cybercrimes continually emerge.

Currently, cybercrime covers a broad spectrum of activities, including hacking, identity theft, online fraud, cyberbullying, cyberterrorism, and much more. Each of these activities involves different methods, motives, and legal implications, making it challenging to create a comprehensive definition that covers them all.

The ostensibly borderless nature of cybercrime makes it an international concern, which has implications on priority, investigative approaches, resources, etc. Consequently, there is no single legal framework that applies globally. Different countries may have different laws and definitions of cybercrime, which further complicates efforts to create a unified definition. In some cases, distinguishing between legal and illegal activities in the digital space can be challenging. Actions that may be considered benign in one context can become illegal when used with malicious intent. For example, the use of certain hacking tools for security research is legal, but using the same tools for unauthorized intrusion is illegal.

The motives behind cybercrime are diverse and can include financial gain, political activism, espionage, or simply malicious intent. These motives can change over time and may not always align with traditional criminal motivations. Therefore, the interdisciplinary approach involving criminology and social sciences is essential for comprehensively addressing cybercrime. It not only enhances our understanding of the motivations and behaviors behind digital offenses but also contributes to the development of effective legal frameworks, law enforcement strategies, and public policies to combat cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected world. In addition, what is considered a cybercrime can vary depending on cultural, ethical, and societal norms. Some activities that are seen as cybercrimes in one culture may not be viewed the same way in another.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), many cybercrimes go unreported due to factors such as embarrassment, fear of retaliation, or a lack of awareness. This makes it difficult to quantify the extent of cybercrime and its various forms. In light of these challenges, various organizations, including governments and international bodies, have attempted to define and classify cybercrimes in ways that encompass the most common and damaging activities. However, these definitions are often adapted and revised to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of technology and criminal tactics. As a result, cybercrime remains a dynamic and challenging area to define and combat effectively. Therefore, studying cybercrime is crucial in the modern era due to the pervasive role of technology in our daily lives. Despite the reluctance and arguably slow to develop research agenda, criminology and the social sciences play a vital role in understanding and addressing cybercrime, contributing to law enforcement and investigations. Those who work in both the public and private spheres, must continue to engage in data collection and develop frameworks that aid in understanding motivations for engaging in digital deviance and crime.

Criminology as a discipline uniquely positioned to help identify the motivations and behaviors behind cybercriminal activities. By examining the root causes and psychological aspects, researchers can develop profiles that aid law enforcement in anticipating and responding to cyber threats. Criminological research can provide insights into emerging trends and patterns in cybercrime. By analyzing data on past incidents, researchers can help law enforcement agencies predict future threats, enabling a proactive approach to cybercrime prevention. Social science research facilitates international cooperation by fostering a shared understanding of cyber threats, legal challenges, and collaborative solutions among different countries and cultures.

Generally, the social sciences contribute to the development of legal frameworks that govern cyberspace. Cybercrime laws are constantly evolving to keep pace with technological advancements, and criminologists help shape these laws by analyzing the social impact of cyber offenses. Understanding the sociological aspects of cybercrime helps officers develop the necessary skills to investigate and combat digital offenses effectively. Understanding the technical aspects of cybercrime and its implications on society is essential for developing effective investigative strategies and tools.

Beyond detection and enforcement, the ability to contribute to the domain of victimology is significant and should not be ignored. Studying cybercrime from a social science perspective allows for a better understanding of the impact on victims. This knowledge is crucial for developing support systems and interventions to assist individuals and organizations affected by cyberattacks.

Read, Review, Watch, and Listen

• Read David L. Carter’s Computer Crime Categories: How Technology Criminals Operate (Carter, 1995) [FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Vol. 64 (7), pp. 21-27].
• Read Lucas Coll’s What is Cybercrime? (U.S. News, Oct. 2022).
• Read in its entirety, the Introduction of Nancy E. Marion and Jason Twede’s Cybercrime an encyclopedia of digital crime (Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2020).
• Review the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Cybersecurity page.
• Review Interpol’s  Cybercrime page (last accessed, August 2024)
• Review the National Security Archive’s  Cyber Glossary   (last accessed, August 2024)
• Watch What is Cyber Crime? (Academy, 2016) – located below [last accessed, August 2024].
• Watch  Cybersecurity and Crime (Kahn Academy, July 2021) – located below.
• Listen to CSIS Inside the State Department’s Cyber Strategy: A Conversation with Adam Segal Podcast Episode by James Andrew Lewis and Christopher Painter (July 26, 2024) [last accessed, August 2024].

Students should review the course syllabus to determine the assignment of this activity.

This is a copy of the module’s activity that students find within Blackboard. For that reason, refer to the Activities page to submit your work for review.

The purpose of this week’s activity is to explore the classification process associated with social science inquiry and consider how classification impacts understand of, in this case, cybercrime.

Definitions of cybercrime are intractably connected to the purpose of using the term and such produces challenges for those interested in measuring the phenomena. Interestingly, there are a limited number of acts against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of digital information systems that represent the core of cybercrime. Beyond this, however, acts using technology to facilitate financial gain or harm fall more broadly within the meaning of the term cybercrime. To that end, definitions are required for the core of cybercrime acts. Nevertheless, a definition of cybercrime is often less relevant when defining the scope or specialized investigative powers, which are largely focused on a comprehensive set of activities rather than a rather vague and artificial ‘cybercrime’ construct.

Instructions

• From this week’s module readings, reflect on your review of David Carter’s rather visionary description of computer crime categories; that is, (1) the target of the crime, (2), the instrument of the crime, (3) incidental to the crime, and (4) crimes associated with the prevalence of computers ( https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/156176NCJRS.pdf ), and McQuade’s succinct overview of cybercrime ( https://issuu.com/sucatapopo/docs/encyclopedia_of_cybercrime_by_samuel_c._mcquade_ii ).
• From this week’s module readings, reflect on your review of Gordon and Ford’s overview of definitions and the classification of cybercrime ( https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j3S0xuZ4aScLH3DcwiVswm2TP-G87bG5/view?usp=sharing ).
• Review Table I – Contemporary Constructs of IT-Enabled Abuse and Crime :

Table I – Contemporary Constructs of IT-enabled Abuse and Crime

• Using a search engine of your choice, identify at least two publicized recent cases of ransomware or child sexual abuse material. *

* Since 2016, the reference of child pornography (CP) has become increasingly replaced with child sexual abuse material. The reasoning is scholars and authors of related publications determined that the latter more accurately describe the nature of the crime. This is a perfect example of how importance definitions are to understanding not only the nature and extent of the phenomena but has legal implications (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2021).

Answer all four (4) questions from  one  of the following sets:

• Using Carter’s classification scheme, do you believe that ransomware should defined as an “instrument”; explain.
• In your opinion, what other classification scheme might better classify ransomware? Explain.
• Why does the number of cybervictims continue to grow?
• Why is computer crime often underreported?
• Using Carter’s classification scheme, do you believe that child sexual abuse material should be defined as “incidental”; explain.
• In your opinions, what other classification scheme might better classify child sexual abuse material? Explain.

Carter’s classification – (1) the target of the crime, (2) the instrument of the crime, (3) incidental to the crime, and also (4) crimes associated with the prevalence of computers

Computer Crime describes is a broad range of offenses that are like traditional forms of the same non-computer offense, e.g., larceny or fraud. Sam McQuade III (2006) describes computer crime as “Traditional crime committed in a non-traditional way” or as what Peter N. Grabosky refers to as, “The same old wine in new bottles” (OJP, 2000). Some of them are the same as non-computer offenses, such as larceny or fraud, except that a computer or the Internet is used in the commission of the crime. Others, like hacking, are uniquely related to computers. Read on to find out what kinds of activities are considered computer crimes and how to protect yourself from them.

Cybercrime is any criminal offense (e.g., fraud, theft, or distribution of child pornography [CP]) committed using a computer specially to access without authorization, transmit, or manipulate data via the Internet or otherwise aided by various forms of computer technology, such as the use of online social networks to bully others or sending sexually explicit digital photos with a smart phone.

Cyber victimization is one consequence of technology use. Cyber victimization is defined as experiencing aggressive behaviors via information and communication technologies, such as the internet, gaming consoles, and mobile phones. Gordon and Ford two-category scheme – a two-category scheme to classify cybercrimes into (a) Type I offenses and (b) Type II offenses.

Refer to the course learning management system (LMS); that is Blackboard (BB), for the correct due date. In addition, submit your work via BB for grading.

Discussion Questions

• Considering that technology and digital platforms are constantly evolving, how do these changes impact the definition and scope of cybercrime? Discuss how the dynamic nature of technology challenges law enforcement and legal frameworks in identifying and prosecuting cybercrime activities.
• Describe the implications of the borderless nature of cybercrime for international law enforcement cooperation. How do varying definitions and legal frameworks across countries complicate efforts to combat cybercrime on a global scale?
• How can criminological theories and research help in identifying the motivations behind cybercriminal activities and aid in developing effective prevention strategies?
• With cybercrime constantly evolving, what are some of the latest trends and emerging threats in the digital world? Also, discuss how law enforcement agencies can use criminological research to anticipate and prepare for future cybercrime tactics.
• Discuss the importance of studying cybercrime from a victimology perspective. How can understanding the sociological aspects of cybercrime help in developing better support systems and interventions for victims?

Supplemental Resources

• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA )
• RAND Corporation – Cybercrime
• Conceptualizing Cybercrime: Definitions, Typologies and Taxonomies – Phillips, Kirsty, Julia C. Davidson, Ruby R. Farr, Christine Burkhardt, Stefano Caneppele, and Mary P. Aiken. 2022. “Conceptualizing Cybercrime: Definitions, Typologies and Taxonomies” Forensic Sciences 2, no. 2: 379-398. https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci2020028
• THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER VARIABLES ON THE VIEWING AND SENDING OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL ON THE INTERNET: TESTING COOPER’S “ Triple A Engine ” by Lisa J. Byers, Ken S. Menzies, and William L. O’Grady Department of Sociology and Anthropology University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario.
• The FBI’s annual reports on cybercrime trends and typologies, offering insight into how different types of cybercrimes are categorized and reported in the United States.
• Journal of Cybersecurity   (last accessed, August 2024).
• Cybersecurity Information Guide
• U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
• U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Cybersecurity
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Security and Safety
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cybersecurity
• U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Computer Security Resource Center (CSRC)
• U.S. National Security Agency (NSA)
• U.S. National Security Council (NSC), Cybersecurity

Read, Review, Watch and Listen to all listed materials by the due date listed within the course LMS site.

Click HERE to report any needed updates, e.g., broken links.

Carter's classification includes: (1) the target of the crime, (2) the instrument of the crime, (3) incidental to the crime, and also (4) crimes associated with the prevalence of computers

Use of computers to harm individuals, groups, or organizations.

Describes is a broad range of offenses that are like traditional forms of the same non-computer offense, e.g., larceny or fraud. Sam McQuade III (2006) describes computer crime as “Traditional crime committed in a non-traditional way” or as what Peter N. Grabosky refers to as, “The same old wine in new bottles” (OJP, 2000). Some of them are the same as non-computer offenses, such as larceny or fraud, except that a computer or the Internet is used in the commission of the crime. Others, like hacking, are uniquely related to computers. Read on to find out what kinds of activities are considered computer crimes and how to protect yourself from them.

Computer-related acts for personal or financial gain or harm, including forms of identity related crime, and computer content-related acts do not lend themselves easily to efforts to arrive at legal definitions of the aggregate term.

Is any criminal offense (e.g., fraud, theft, or distribution of child sexual abuse material [CSAM]) committed using a computer specially to access without authorization, transmit, or manipulate data via the Internet or otherwise aided by various forms of computer technology, such as the use of online social networks to bully others or sending sexually explicit digital photos with a smart phone.

Is one consequence of technology use. Cyber victimization is defined as experiencing aggressive behaviors via information and communication technologies, such as the internet, gaming consoles, and mobile phones. Gordon and Ford two-category scheme – a two-category scheme to classify cybercrimes into (a) Type I offenses and (b) Type II offenses.

Use of computerized or telecommunications devices in ways that violate contemporary social norms.

Computers and Criminal Justice Copyright © 2021 by Eric R. Ramirez-Thompson, PhD is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Cyber Crime Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on cyber crime.

Cyber Crime Essay – Everybody thinks that only stealing someone’s private data is Cyber Crime. But in defining terms we can say that ‘Cyber Crime refers to the use of an electronic device (computer, laptop, etc.) for stealing someone’s data or trying to harm them using a computer.

Besides, it is an illegal activity that involves a series of issues ranging from theft to using your system or IP address as a tool for committing a crime.

Types of Cyber Crime

Speaking in a broadway we can say that Cyber Crime are categorized into four major types. These are Financial, Privacy, Hacking, and Cyber Terrorism.

The financial crime they steal the money of user or account holders. Likewise, they also stole data of companies which can lead to financial crimes. Also, transactions are heavily risked because of them. Every year hackers stole lakhs and crores of rupees of businessmen and government.

Privacy crime includes stealing your private data which you do not want to share with the world. Moreover, due to it, the people suffer a lot and some even commit suicide because of their data’s misuse.

In, hacking they intentional deface a website to cause damage or loss to the public or owner. Apart from that, they destroy or make changes in the existing websites to diminish its value.

Modern-day terrorism has grown way beyond what it was 10-20 years ago. But cyber terrorism is not just related to terrorists or terrorist organizations. But to threat some person or property to the level of creating fear is also Cyber Terrorism.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Cyber Crime in India

Web world or cyberspace is a massive community of millions and billions of users and websites. Also, people access it for different uses like shopping, movies, music, video games, transactions, and e-commerce, etc.

In this Age of Technology and easy access to the internet, anyone can easily reach it. Because of this fast pace growth from the previous decade. Besides, the internet has opened a world of information on which anyone can connect.

Due to, this the rate of crime especially the rate of Cyber Crime has increased much fold. Moreover, the rate of circulation of data is also increased much fold due to the higher speed of internet. Above all, due to all these issues, the Cybersecurity has become a major concern for society.

Laws related to Cyber Crimes

To stop the spread of Cyber Crime and to safeguard the interest of people the government has made several laws related to Cyber Crimes. Also, these laws serve as protection against Cyber Crime. Apart from that, the government has also introduced cyber cells in police stations to counter the problem of Cyber Crime as fast as they can.

Ways of stopping Cyber Crime

Cyber Crime is not something which we cannot deal with our self. Likewise, with little use of our common sense and logic, we can stop Cyber Crimes from happening.

To conclude, we can say that Cyber Crime is a dangerous offense to someone’s privacy or any material. Also, we can avoid Cyber Crime by following some basic logical things and using our common sense. Above all, Cyber Crime is a violation of not only law but of human rights too.

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116 CyberCrime Topics & Essay Samples

If you are writing a cybercrime essay, our team prepared this article just for you. Here, you will find 115 unique topics for any type of paper.

Essays on Cyber Crimes

When it comes to writing an essay on cyber crimes, choosing the right topic is crucial. With the increasing prevalence of cyber crimes in today’s digital age, it is important to shed light on various aspects of this issue through well-researched and thought-provoking essays. By selecting the right topic, you can ensure that your essay captures the attention of your readers and provides valuable insights into the world of cyber crimes.

Choosing the right cyber crimes essay topic is important for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to delve into a specific aspect of cyber crimes, providing in-depth analysis and understanding. Secondly, a well-chosen topic can help you demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field of cyber crimes. Lastly, by selecting an engaging and relevant topic, you can capture the interest of your readers and make a meaningful impact with your essay.

When it comes to choosing a cyber crimes essay topic, it is important to consider your interests, the relevance of the topic, and the availability of credible sources for research. Consider topics that are current and have a significant impact on society. Additionally, ensure that the topic is specific enough to allow for in-depth analysis, yet broad enough to provide various angles for exploration.

Recommended Cyber Crimes Essay Topics

If you are looking for essay topics related to cyber crimes, you have come to the right place. Below is a list of recommended cyber crimes essay topics, categorized for ease of selection. These topics cover a wide range of issues related to cyber crimes and provide ample opportunities for in-depth research and analysis.

Privacy and Data Protection

• The impact of data breaches on consumer privacy
• Legal and ethical considerations in data privacy
• The role of social media in compromising personal privacy

Cybersecurity and Hacking

• The evolution of hacking techniques and their impact on cybersecurity
• The role of artificial intelligence in cyber warfare
• The implications of ransomware attacks on businesses and individuals

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

• The psychological impact of cyberbullying on adolescents
• Legal measures to combat online harassment and cyberbullying
• The role of social media platforms in addressing cyberbullying

Financial Fraud and Identity Theft

• The impact of identity theft on individuals and businesses
• The role of cryptocurrency in facilitating financial fraud
• Preventive measures for combating credit card fraud in the digital age

Cyber Warfare and State-Sponsored Attacks

• The implications of state-sponsored cyber attacks on international relations
• The role of cyber warfare in modern warfare strategies
• The legal and ethical considerations of cyber warfare

With these recommended essay topics, you can explore various aspects of cyber crimes and make a meaningful contribution to the discourse on this important issue. By selecting a topic that resonates with your interests and allows for in-depth research, you can create an impactful essay that sheds light on the complexities of cyber crimes in today’s digital landscape.

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Cyber Terrorism as a Major Security Challenge

Cyber crimes and cyber security in modern world, cybercrime: theories and managing, the information age and cyber crimes, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Online Threats: Geotagging, Email and Phishing

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Cybercrime in Banking Industry and Its Impacts on Banking Industry

Phishing attacks in social media, cybercrimes & ways to prevent them, privacy and cyber harassment, effects of cyber crime on social media, churchill and cyber attacks in russia, the role of digital forensic in solving cyber-crimes, cybercrime and society: identity theft, the potential impact of cyber crime on the economy, the detailing of cyberstalking, cyber warfare and espionage: country stance and solutions, cyber crime and internet privacy, what kind of ethical issues related to it we are facing today, overview of the common internet threats, the most damaging hackers' attacks in history, international cybercrime law: past, present, future perspectives, the differences and similarities between the real world and cyber space criminology, the reasons why we need cyber law, lack of protection as the main factor of identity theft, human rights on the digital era, relevant topics.

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CISA Launches New Portal to Improve Cyber Reporting

CISA Services Portal and Voluntary Cyber Incident Reporting webpage, with resources and frequently asked questions, is now live

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announces its cyber incident reporting form moved to the new CISA Services Portal as part of its ongoing effort to improve cyber incident reporting.

The Portal is a secure platform with enhanced functionality for cyber incident reporting, including integration with login.gov credentials. The portal’s enhanced functionality includes the ability to save and update reports, share submitted reports with colleagues or clients for third-party reporting, and search and filter reports. A new collaboration feature allows users to engage in informal discussions with CISA.

“Any organization experiencing a cyber attack or incident should report it – for its own benefit, and to help the broader community. CISA and our government partners have unique resources and tools to aid with response and recovery, but we can’t help if we don’t know about an incident,” said CISA Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Jeff Greene . “Sharing information allows us to work with our full breadth of partners so that the attackers can’t use the same techniques on other victims, and can provide insight into the scale of an adversary’s campaign. CISA is excited to make available our new portal with improved functionality and features for cyber reporting.”

To guide incident reporters through the reporting process, CISA also released a voluntary cyber incident reporting resource . It helps entities understand “who” should report an incident, “why and when” they should report, as well as “what and how to report.” Several resources to reduce cyber risk are also available.

CISA encourages all organizations to take advantage of its new streamlined portal and voluntarily report cyber incidents.

Learn more by visiting the CISA Services Portal and Voluntary Cyber Incident Reporting Resource .

About CISA  

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on  Twitter ,  Facebook ,  LinkedIn , Instagram . 

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Names of undercover police, crime victims found on dark web from Columbus data breach

The latest sensitive information revealed to be leaked to the dark web from the city of Columbus's databases includes names and personal information of undercover police and child rape victims.

Cybersecurity expert Connor Goodwolf said a database he was able to download off the dark web he called the city attorney's office "matrix crime database" includes every incident report and arrest record written by officers since the mid 2010s.

This includes names of officers and victims, personal information like addresses and social security numbers, names of undercover police officers and summaries of incidents and evidence such as witness and victim statements.

Goodwolf said this even includes names of child rape victims and domestic violence survivors.

" We're talking about information as well. On victims, on suspects, on witnesses. That includes (personal identifiable information). That can include name, address, phone number, social security number, employment, the employer. All that is in here," Goodwolf said.

Goodwolf alleges that all of this sensitive data wasn't protected properly with encryption or what he calls basic cybersecurity techniques. He claims that so far the only data he has found online with such protections are city payroll data and health records.

"I can go on for hours just on this one database. It's just this information should have been protected. Common security, standard security practices should have been followed," Goodwolf said.

RELATED: Leaked list shows people banned from Columbus city buildings who were deemed security threats

Wednesday evening, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther commented on this latest batch of records found.

"As I have previously said, we can expect more personally identifiable information to be identified as having been posted on the dark web," Ginther said. "The dark web is for criminals. The people who stole data from the City of Columbus are criminals, and anyone using or disclosing stolen confidential information is a criminal.

"The FBI, City Attorney Zach Klein, our Department of Technology and cybersecurity experts continue to work around the clock on this active criminal investigation," he said.

Klein also issued a statement Thursday morning.

“In the City Attorney’s Office, we do everything within our control to protect witnesses and victims from being further victimized by these cyber criminals. That’s why my office has engaged CHOICES and Legal Aid to make sure our community partners are united in ensuring victim safety," Klein said.

"My office will continue to cooperate with the ongoing criminal investigation. Further, accessing and sharing certain types of evidence, critically sensitive investigatory information or law enforcement personnel data, or otherwise interfering with ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions is illegal, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate legal action against any individuals who access or disclose this type of information," Klein's statement continued.

The data being leaked online traces back to cyber crime group Rhysida , who attempted to deploy ransomware after the city said an employee downloaded an infected file.

Despite the city saying it prevented the ransomware from encrypting its files, an unknown amount of city data was leaked to the dark web by the group.

The matter is still being by state, city and federal law enforcement authorities.

It was already revealed that the personal data of hundreds of thousands of city residents could have been leaked online.

The city is offering free credit monitoring to all residents.

Goodwolf said there appears to be a lot of cases that are particularly sensitive in these databases. Not just child rape victims and domestic violence cases, but also things like protection orders.

" This is just so gut wrenching. I'm just. My stomach is just doing somersaults," Goodwolf said.

Goodwolf said people should be taking advantage of the free credit monitoring but also considering other options. He mentioned ideas from as simple as changing all passwords, to opening to new bank accounts to even considering moving out of Columbus if data on a particularly sensitive crime was leaked.

The city already faces class action lawsuits from multiple plaintiffs alleging the city did not do enough to protect their personal information online. These plaintiffs include former and current members of the Columbus Divisions of Police and Fire.

Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9 President Brian Steel told WOSU he is worried about the safety of undercover officers in particular.

"These guys already take a major risk. You got to remember these undercover officers, they're undercover with drug cartels, with street gangs, you name it. Organized crime. So, it's very concerning," Steel said.

Steel said the fact that the personal information of child rape victims being out on the dark web is even more concerning for him.

"This is stuff that is never intended to be out in the public because it's so heinous. The details, some of these crimes, it's just sickening," Steel said.

Steel said if it is the case that this data was not encrypted, he expects the city to be held accountable.

" If that's the case and the city is neglecting their basic duty to protect the public, to protect the crime victims, to protect their employees, then the FOP expects them to be held accountable. Same as I would expect one of my members to be held accountable if they were completely neglecting their duties like it appears the city was," Steel said.

Goodwolf said this data is available to anyone on the dark web who has his ability or even less to download and figure out how to open these files that Rhysida dropped.

Goodwolf said he thinks trust in the city after this hack has "completely eroded."

Behind the arrest of Telegram boss, a small Paris cybercrime unit with big ambitions

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Cisco calls for United Nations to revisit cyber-crime convention

Echoes human rights groups' concerns that it could suppress free speech and more.

Networking giant Cisco has suggested the United Nations' first-ever convention against cyber-crime is dangerously flawed and should be revised before being put to a formal vote.

The document that Cisco dislikes is the United Nations convention against cyber-crime [PDF]. The convention took five years to create and was drafted by a body called the Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. *

The purpose of the convention is to "enhance international cooperation, law enforcement efforts, technical assistance, and capacity-building relating to cyber crime," in recognition that digital technology has become a big enabler of transnational mischief.

As The Register reported after the committee agreed on a draft text, Russia was a big driver of the document, and human rights groups don't like it.

Human Rights Watch, for example, criticized the convention as overly broad, while the Electronic Frontier Foundation has labelled the convention "too flawed to adopt."

Those two orgs, and others, worry that the convention doesn't offer a narrow definition of cyber-crime, and could give signatory nations legal cover to target citizens who share views they dislike. They also worry about secrecy provisions in the document that would allow nations to demand info from service providers, without the individuals targeted by such requests being informed or having recourse.

British human rights org Article 19 has also warned the convention's broad language could stymie legitimate infosec research, by creating a legal environment in which cyber-boffins don't feel safe to ply their trade for fear of being labelled crims.

In a Wednesday post , Cisco's senior director for technology policy Eric Wenger backed some of those arguments.

"Rather than specifically focusing on hacking and cyber crimes, it broadly aims at the misuse of computer networks to disseminate objectionable information," he wrote. "This represents a misalignment with the values of free speech in liberal democracies, which should be addressed via an amendment before the Convention is taken up by member states for adoption."

Note that reference to "liberal democracies." Remember that Russia was a prime mover of this convention, and that in 2022 Cisco quit Moscow .

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Wenger wrote that Cisco isn't opposed to a UN cyber-crime convention, and argued that "we need to ensure law enforcement agencies have the necessary capabilities to prevent, investigate, and prosecute transnational cyber crimes."

But he argued Cisco's position is that such instruments "must also uphold and protect the importance of basic human rights and the rule of law.

"Unfortunately, the UN Convention, as it stands, does not sufficiently protect basic human rights and poses risks to the rule of law."

Wenger wants the convention amended. But in early August the UN enthused about its likely passage as-is later this year, and the Biden administration reportedly thinks the document strikes an appropriate balance between human rights and the need for international collaboration to crimp cyber-crime. ®

* No, we're not going to use the acronym "AHCTEACICOCTUOIACTFCP." Referring to it as "the Committee" will be easier for all concerned.

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