The 4 Most Common Types of Cybercrime
Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity where a computer or networked device is the target and/or tool. Some cybercrimes involve direct attacks on computers or other devices to disable them, while others use computers to distribute malware, illegal information, images, and other materials. Categorizing cybercrimes can be challenging due to significant overlap, but generally, the following types can be identified:
Financially Motivated Cybercrimes
It’s no surprise that many cybercriminals use the internet for financial gain, carrying out the following types of attacks:
- Phishing
Cyber scammers often go after easy targets by infecting the computers of unsuspecting victims. Email is a favorite tool in these schemes. The method involves tricking the recipient into clicking a link that appears to come from a legitimate organization (such as a bank, tax authority, or popular online store). The goal is often to steal banking information. - Cyber Extortion
Another popular financially motivated cybercrime is extortion. Typically, after a user or company downloads malware, their files are locked, and they receive an offer to restore access in exchange for a payment (usually in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). - Financial Fraud
Most sophisticated financial fraud schemes involve hacking into the computer systems of retail operators to obtain customers’ banking data (so-called targeted attacks) or manipulating the stolen information. Some types of financial fraud are extremely difficult to detect.
Cybercrimes Involving Privacy Invasion
There are several types of cybercrimes aimed at stealing personal confidential information. While some criminals are motivated by money or political agendas, the main focus is on bypassing laws and exploiting technological loopholes that protect personal data.
- Identity Theft
Identity theft usually occurs to impersonate an individual or group. While some criminals steal physical IDs like passports, most identity theft happens exclusively online. For example, someone seeking a bank loan might steal the personal information of a person with a good credit history. - Espionage
Espionage, from hacking individual computers or devices to illegal mass surveillance, aims to secretly monitor our private lives. This can include physical spying (using webcams or CCTV cameras to watch individuals or groups) and mass monitoring of communications (reading emails, messenger texts, SMS, etc.).
Copyright Infringement
Copyright infringement is one of the most common forms of cybercrime. This category mainly includes sharing music, photos, movies, books, and more without the authors’ consent.
Spam
Spam is an extremely widespread and varied type of cybercrime. It includes mass distribution via email, SMS, messengers, and other communication channels. Any unsolicited distribution can be considered spam.
Socially and Politically Motivated Cybercrimes
Some types of cybercrime are aimed at influencing political sentiment or intentionally harming or diminishing the influence of certain individuals or groups.
- Hate Crimes and Harassment
Hate crimes against individuals or groups are usually based on gender, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and other factors. Examples include harassment, sending offensive messages, and spreading fake news about specific groups. The anonymity and accessibility of the internet make combating hate crimes especially difficult. - Terrorism
Extremist groups and militant organizations increasingly use cyberspace for intimidation, spreading propaganda, and sometimes damaging IT infrastructures. As more businesses, services, and devices become accessible online, new cases of cyberterrorism are likely to emerge. - Cyberbullying
Using computers and connected devices to harass, humiliate, or intimidate individuals falls under cyberbullying. The line between cyberbullying and some forms of hate crime is often blurred. Some forms of cyberbullying (such as sharing nude photos) may also be considered illegal acts (like child exploitation).
Cybercrimes Involving Illegal Activities
The dark side of the internet, also known as the “dark web” (or deep web), is used for various illegal activities.
- Illegal Pornography
Distributing pornography online is considered a cybercrime in many countries, while others only ban extremist content. The distribution of child pornography is prohibited in most countries. - Grooming
Online grooming involves sexual harassment of minors. Various communication methods can be used: SMS, social networks, email, chats (such as in online games), and forums. In many countries, grooming is classified as a cybercrime. - Distribution of Drugs and Weapons
Various IT solutions used for legitimate goods and services can also be exploited by criminals. For example, darknet marketplaces on the web help traffickers sell weapons and drugs while staying out of law enforcement’s reach.
Common Methods of Cyber Attacks
There are four main methods commonly used by cybercriminals:
- Malware
Many people fear malware, and for good reason. There are numerous ways to exploit systems, making it important to use security measures like strong passwords and regular updates. This type of attack is based on abusing computers and networks. - DDoS Attacks
In this method, the attacker uses network communication protocols to generate a massive number of requests to a server or service. The main goal is to disable the target. - Social Engineering and Malicious Code
The most well-known form of this attack is phishing, where the victim is tricked into taking certain actions (like clicking a link in an email or visiting a website), which then leads to infection by malware. - Illegal Activities
This includes harassment, distribution of illegal content, grooming, and more. In these cases, criminals hide their tracks using anonymous profiles, encrypted messages, and similar technologies.
As you can see, cybercrime covers a wide range of illegal activities, from fraud and identity theft to hate crimes and drug distribution. There is significant overlap between these types, making it hard to draw clear boundaries. For example, a phishing attack may be aimed at stealing personal information, while identity theft can later be used for financial gain, drug trafficking, or even terrorism. It’s important to understand that cybercrimes are not always sophisticated or limited to the “deep web.” The best way to protect yourself from cyberattacks is to stay informed about current threats.