Lord777
Professional
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A cybercriminal is any criminal activity where the target and/or tool is a computer or network device. In some cybercrimes, direct attacks are carried out on computers or other devices in order to disable them. In others, computers are used to distribute malware, illegal information, images, and other materials.
It is not so easy to divide cybercrime into separate categories, since there are many restrictions, but in general, the following types can be distinguished::
Financial-focused cybercrimes
It is no wonder that many cybercriminals use the Internet for commercial gain, carrying out the following types of attacks:
Phishing
Cyber scammers like to pick low-hanging fruit when given the opportunity to infect unsuspecting victims ' computers. In such schemes, the attackers ' favorite tool is email. The essence of the method is to force the recipient of the email to click on the link on behalf of a legitimate organization (bank, tax service, popular online store, etc.). In such cases, the goal is often to master bank data.
Cyber extortion
Another popular method of financial-oriented cybercriminals is extortion. As a rule, the user or company first blocks files after downloading the malware, and then receives an offer to restore them in exchange for a monetary reward (usually in the form of bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies).
Financial fraud
Most sophisticated financial fraud schemes involve hacking into the computer systems of retail operators in order to obtain bank data about customers (so-called targeted attacks) or subsequent manipulation of the information obtained. Some types of financial fraud are extremely difficult to detect.
Cybercrime related to invasion of privacy
There are several types of such cybercrimes, the purpose of which is to steal personal confidential information. Although attackers are often motivated by a deeper motivation (for example, monetary or related to changing political attitudes), the main focus is on circumventing laws and finding gaps in technologies that protect personal confidential information.
Personal data theft
Theft of personal information usually occurs for the purpose of subsequent substitution of the identity of a person or group of people. Although some attackers steal passports or other identity cards to physically change the identity, most of the theft of personal data occurs exclusively on the Internet.
For example, someone who wants to get a bank loan can steal the personal information of someone with a good credit history.
Espionage
The purpose of espionage, ranging from hacking individual computers or devices to illegal mass surveillance, is to secretly track our personal lives. There can be both physical espionage (for example, using web or CCTV cameras to monitor individuals or groups of people), and mass monitoring of various types of communications (reading mail, text messages from instant messengers, sms, and so on).
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is one of the most common forms of cybercrime. This category primarily includes sharing music, photos, movies, books, and so on without the authors ' consent.
Spam
Spam is an extremely common and multiple type of cybercrime. This includes mass mailing via email, sms, instant messengers, and other communication channels. Any mailing without the consent of the recipients can be classified as spam.
Social and politically motivated cybercrimes
Some types of cybercrime are aimed at changing the mood in the political environment or intentionally harming or reducing the influence of individuals or groups of people.
Hate crimes and harassment
Hate crimes against an individual or group of people are usually committed on the basis of gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and other characteristics. Examples: harassment and sending out abusive messages and stuffing false news about a certain group of people.
The anonymity and easy accessibility of the Internet make it very difficult to fight hate crimes.
Terrorism
Extremist groups and militant groups are increasingly using cyberspace to intimidate, spread propaganda, and sometimes harm IT infrastructures. An increase in the number of businesses, services and devices available over the Internet will undoubtedly provoke new cases of cyberterrorism.
Cyberbullying
The use of computers and connected devices to harass, humiliate, and intimidate individuals falls under the category of cyberbullying. The line between cyberbullying and some forms of hate crime is often blurred. Some forms of cyberbullying (such as uploading nude photos) may be considered illegal (such as child exploitation).
Cybercrime related to illegal actions
The underside of the Internet, also called the " dark web "(or deep Internet), is used to commit various kinds of illegal actions.
Illegal pornography
The distribution of pornography via the Internet is treated as cybercrime in many countries, while in other countries it is only prohibited for extremist content. Distribution of images containing child pornography is prohibited in most countries.
Grooming services
Online grooming is associated with sexual harassment of minors. Various communication methods can be used in the process: SMS, social networks, email, chats (for example, in online games) and forums. In many countries, grooming falls under the category of cybercrime.
Distribution of drugs and weapons
Various IT solutions used to distribute legitimate products and services can also be used by attackers. For example, darknet markets that exist on the world Wide web help smugglers sell weapons and drugs and at the same time stay out of the sight of law enforcement agencies.
Ways to carry out attacks
There are four most common methods used by cybercriminals. The first one that many people are afraid of is the use of malware. You probably understand that there are many methods of operating systems, and how important it is to use various security measures, such as setting long passwords and making regular updates. This type of attack is based on the abuse of computers and networks.
The second method is DDOS attacks, when an attacker uses a network communication protocol to create a huge number of requests to a server or service. In this type of attack, the main goal is to disable the target.
The third method is a combination of social engineering and malicious code. The most well – known form of this type of attack is phishing, when the victim is forced to perform certain actions (clicking on a link in an email, visiting a site, etc.), which subsequently leads to infection of the system using the first method.
The fourth method is illegal activity: harassment, distribution of illegal content, grooming, etc. In this case, attackers hide their tracks through anonymous profiles, encrypted messages, and other similar technologies.
As you can see, cybercrime involves a wide range of illegal activities, ranging from fraud and identity theft to hate crimes and drug distribution. There are many intersections between these types, and it is difficult to draw an exact border. For example, a phishing attack may be aimed at stealing personal information. At the same time, identity forgery can later be used to obtain money, by drug smugglers, or even by terrorists. It is important to understand that cybercrimes are not always associated with sophisticated schemes and do not always affect the "deep Internet". The best way to protect yourself from cyber attacks is to be aware of current threats.
It is not so easy to divide cybercrime into separate categories, since there are many restrictions, but in general, the following types can be distinguished::
Financial-focused cybercrimes
It is no wonder that many cybercriminals use the Internet for commercial gain, carrying out the following types of attacks:
Phishing
Cyber scammers like to pick low-hanging fruit when given the opportunity to infect unsuspecting victims ' computers. In such schemes, the attackers ' favorite tool is email. The essence of the method is to force the recipient of the email to click on the link on behalf of a legitimate organization (bank, tax service, popular online store, etc.). In such cases, the goal is often to master bank data.
Cyber extortion
Another popular method of financial-oriented cybercriminals is extortion. As a rule, the user or company first blocks files after downloading the malware, and then receives an offer to restore them in exchange for a monetary reward (usually in the form of bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies).
Financial fraud
Most sophisticated financial fraud schemes involve hacking into the computer systems of retail operators in order to obtain bank data about customers (so-called targeted attacks) or subsequent manipulation of the information obtained. Some types of financial fraud are extremely difficult to detect.
Cybercrime related to invasion of privacy
There are several types of such cybercrimes, the purpose of which is to steal personal confidential information. Although attackers are often motivated by a deeper motivation (for example, monetary or related to changing political attitudes), the main focus is on circumventing laws and finding gaps in technologies that protect personal confidential information.
Personal data theft
Theft of personal information usually occurs for the purpose of subsequent substitution of the identity of a person or group of people. Although some attackers steal passports or other identity cards to physically change the identity, most of the theft of personal data occurs exclusively on the Internet.
For example, someone who wants to get a bank loan can steal the personal information of someone with a good credit history.
Espionage
The purpose of espionage, ranging from hacking individual computers or devices to illegal mass surveillance, is to secretly track our personal lives. There can be both physical espionage (for example, using web or CCTV cameras to monitor individuals or groups of people), and mass monitoring of various types of communications (reading mail, text messages from instant messengers, sms, and so on).
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is one of the most common forms of cybercrime. This category primarily includes sharing music, photos, movies, books, and so on without the authors ' consent.
Spam
Spam is an extremely common and multiple type of cybercrime. This includes mass mailing via email, sms, instant messengers, and other communication channels. Any mailing without the consent of the recipients can be classified as spam.
Social and politically motivated cybercrimes
Some types of cybercrime are aimed at changing the mood in the political environment or intentionally harming or reducing the influence of individuals or groups of people.
Hate crimes and harassment
Hate crimes against an individual or group of people are usually committed on the basis of gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and other characteristics. Examples: harassment and sending out abusive messages and stuffing false news about a certain group of people.
The anonymity and easy accessibility of the Internet make it very difficult to fight hate crimes.
Terrorism
Extremist groups and militant groups are increasingly using cyberspace to intimidate, spread propaganda, and sometimes harm IT infrastructures. An increase in the number of businesses, services and devices available over the Internet will undoubtedly provoke new cases of cyberterrorism.
Cyberbullying
The use of computers and connected devices to harass, humiliate, and intimidate individuals falls under the category of cyberbullying. The line between cyberbullying and some forms of hate crime is often blurred. Some forms of cyberbullying (such as uploading nude photos) may be considered illegal (such as child exploitation).
Cybercrime related to illegal actions
The underside of the Internet, also called the " dark web "(or deep Internet), is used to commit various kinds of illegal actions.
Illegal pornography
The distribution of pornography via the Internet is treated as cybercrime in many countries, while in other countries it is only prohibited for extremist content. Distribution of images containing child pornography is prohibited in most countries.
Grooming services
Online grooming is associated with sexual harassment of minors. Various communication methods can be used in the process: SMS, social networks, email, chats (for example, in online games) and forums. In many countries, grooming falls under the category of cybercrime.
Distribution of drugs and weapons
Various IT solutions used to distribute legitimate products and services can also be used by attackers. For example, darknet markets that exist on the world Wide web help smugglers sell weapons and drugs and at the same time stay out of the sight of law enforcement agencies.
Ways to carry out attacks
There are four most common methods used by cybercriminals. The first one that many people are afraid of is the use of malware. You probably understand that there are many methods of operating systems, and how important it is to use various security measures, such as setting long passwords and making regular updates. This type of attack is based on the abuse of computers and networks.
The second method is DDOS attacks, when an attacker uses a network communication protocol to create a huge number of requests to a server or service. In this type of attack, the main goal is to disable the target.
The third method is a combination of social engineering and malicious code. The most well – known form of this type of attack is phishing, when the victim is forced to perform certain actions (clicking on a link in an email, visiting a site, etc.), which subsequently leads to infection of the system using the first method.
The fourth method is illegal activity: harassment, distribution of illegal content, grooming, etc. In this case, attackers hide their tracks through anonymous profiles, encrypted messages, and other similar technologies.
As you can see, cybercrime involves a wide range of illegal activities, ranging from fraud and identity theft to hate crimes and drug distribution. There are many intersections between these types, and it is difficult to draw an exact border. For example, a phishing attack may be aimed at stealing personal information. At the same time, identity forgery can later be used to obtain money, by drug smugglers, or even by terrorists. It is important to understand that cybercrimes are not always associated with sophisticated schemes and do not always affect the "deep Internet". The best way to protect yourself from cyber attacks is to be aware of current threats.
