Cybercrime: types and methods of prevention

[Father]

Cyberspace crime is one of the most complex challenges facing the international community in recent years. And the number of crimes increases along with the number of users of computer networks. Therefore, every user of computer networks should know what cybercrime is, what types of crimes exist, and how to protect themselves from malicious actions.

What is cybercrime and how do they differ from other types of crime?​

Cybercrimes are crimes committed using computer technologies and networks. They differ from other types of crime in that they are committed in virtual space and often leave traces that are difficult to detect in the real world.

Cybercrime poses a serious threat to the security and privacy of individuals and organizations. They lead to financial losses, leakage of confidential information, violation of privacy and other negative consequences.

Lada Antipova
Response and Digital Forensics Expert Angara SOC

Machine technologies are increasingly entering our lives, and algorithms are being trained literally before our eyes. And the same tools are also being used by attackers (recall the many instructions for circumventing restrictions in CharGPT or its specific counterpart – WormGPT). This reduces the entry threshold for malicious actions. Therefore, I think that the trend towards an increase in cybercrime will continue and will only develop over time. Moreover, against the background of socio-political conflict, hacktivist activity will increase in order to disrupt the operation of critical infrastructure and the continuous provision of various types of services.

One of the main features of cybercrime is the remoteness of cybercriminals from their victims. Such crimes can be committed from anywhere in the world, and the victims are both individuals, large companies, and government organizations. Another important characteristic of cybercrimes is their high level of secrecy. Often, criminals use various methods of disguise and encryption to hide their actions and avoid identification. That is why it is so difficult to investigate and stop cybercrime.

Types of cybercrime​

Unfortunately, the world of cybercrime is quite diverse and there are many illegal acts that can be attributed to different types of computer crimes. Here are just a few of them:

1. Phishing — sending fake emails, text messages, or creating fake websites that mimic legitimate communications and require users to provide personal data such as passwords, credit card numbers, or access to their accounts. A classic example of phishing is malicious links. For example, to a fake login page of a crypto exchange. Then there is a data leak and loss of money from wallets.
2. Malware — programs that are installed on a user's computer without their consent and are used to steal personal data or damage the system. A prime example is ransomware. After infection, access to the device is blocked. To regain control, the user is asked to pay a ransom.
3. Hacking — obtaining unauthorized access to a computer system by exploiting weak passwords or software vulnerabilities.
4. Cyberbullying — bullying and insulting other users on the Internet. These are usually threats, bullying, sexual harassment, and other forms of violence.
5. Cyberterrorism is a form of terrorism carried out in cyberspace. For example, creating and distributing fake news or information about future terrorist attacks that may occur at a certain time.

With such a variety of main types of cybercrime, it is especially noticeable that there is practically no division into domestic and corporate crimes. For example, a criminal may use the same methods for industrial espionage or to harm an ex-wife.

Vladimir Kovalko
Pre-sale of ARinteg information security software

Among the main types of attacks that are common among companies, I would mention DDoS attacks, phishing, bots.

DDoS attacks clog systems with a large number of requests, causing their throughput to decrease, and systems to become overloaded and inaccessible. Phishing is disguised as legitimate messages from various companies. And bots simulate human actions in the company's network contour and collect a lot of key information.

Ordinary citizens also often encounter phishing and bots, but in this case they are simply adapted to the person. They are also attacked by spam mailings — these are all kinds of attacks in the form of a letter that is the winner of a jackpot draw, promotions, and so on. Also today, a smart AI bot can communicate with a potential victim, and in different ways try to find out important information from her.

Cybercrime prevention and protection​

Fighting cybercrime is difficult, but it is possible. You need to start small — introduce information about online security measures and rules of etiquette in cyberspace into educational programs, as well as pay attention to the level of education and training of specialists in the prevention and detection of cybercrime.

Vladislav Ivanov
Leading expert of the digital threat analysis and assessment service ETHIC of Infosecurity a Softline company

To prevent and detect cybercrime, information security specialists must have a wide range of knowledge and skills, including technical aspects of information security. For example, network technologies, cryptography, and programming. They also need to know the basics of social engineering and psychology, use data analysis skills and detect unusual behavior on the network, know the law and be legally savvy in the field of information security. Effective professionals must be prepared for continuous training and adaptation to new threats in cyberspace.

Information security is considered to be one of the main components of cybercrime protection. For example, the development and implementation of advanced systems and software, strengthening user authorization and authentication, as well as the creation of cryptographic algorithms and encryption methods. However, technical measures are not always effective enough. Attention should be paid to organizational security issues, including training and raising awareness among company employees and network users about technological threats, social engineering, and phishing techniques.

Ekaterina Starostina
Director of Business Development, Webmonitorex

Legislation in the field of cybercrime needs to be constantly updated and improved, as technologies and methods of attacks are constantly evolving. In my opinion, it is necessary to toughen penalties for cybercrime, improve the mechanisms of cooperation between countries in the fight against cyber threats and ensure the protection of consumer rights in the digital space.

Prosecution and punishment of violators is also very important. It is necessary to constantly improve the material and technical base of law enforcement agencies and legislation in order to make cybercrime more risky and unacceptable.

Konstantin Larin
Head of the Cyber Intelligence Department at Bastion LLC

Our legislation definitely needs to be changed. At least because there is currently no comprehensive legislation in the field of cybercrime in the Russian Federation. At the moment, the legislation contains only certain articles of the Criminal Code and methodological recommendations. But there is a positive trend. For example, the law on Confiscation of Property for Cybercrime, recently signed by the President of the Russian Federation, Federal Law No. 214-FZ "On Amendments to Article 104.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation".

It is also important to cooperate with international partners in the exchange of information on criminal groups and coordinated counteraction to cyber threats at the global level.

Conclusion​

The modern technological era has brought with it not only advantages, but also new threats to society — the field of cybercrime has become an integral part of life. The non-stop evolution of technologies makes users vulnerable to new types of attacks, but also opens up opportunities for the development of effective security measures.

Any type of cybercrime can be prevented and the damage caused by them can be offset if you constantly improve your knowledge of information security, be informed, be aware of possible threats and understand how to protect yourself.