Definition of cyber crime

Cyber crime is criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network or a networked device.

Most, but not all, cyber crime is committed by cyber criminals or hackers who want to make money. Cyber crime is carried out by individuals or organizations.

Some cyber criminals are organized, use advanced techniques and are highly technically skilled. Others are novice hackers.

Rarely, cyber crime aims to damage computers for reasons other than profit. These could be political or personal.

Types of cyber crime:

Here are some specific examples of the different types of cybercrime:

• Email and internet fraud.
• Identity fraud (where personal information is stolen and used).
• Theft of financial or card payment data.
• Theft and sale of corporate data.
• Cyberextortion (demanding money to prevent a threatened attack).
• Ransomware attacks (a type of cyberextortion).
• Cryptojacking (where hackers mine cryptocurrency using resources they do not own).
• Cyberespionage (where hackers access government or company data).

Most cybercrime falls under two main categories:

• Criminal activity that targets
• Criminal activity that uses computers to commit other crimes.