Cybercrime is a criminal offense involving a computer being used as a tool to commit a crime. A cybercriminal might use a tool to access a victim’s personal information, government information, confidential business information, or disable the software. It's also a cybercrime to sell or elicit the above information online. If you have gotten involved in any cybercrime, no matter how small or big the operation is, you can work with an internet crimes lawyer to guide you in the process.

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when a criminal gets access to a user’s personal information, steals information, gets funds, or uses the information for insurance fraud. They will also open a phone/internet account in your name, use your name to plan a criminal activity, and claim government benefits in your name. They'll do that by checking out users’ passwords through hacking, retrieving personal information from social media, or sending phishing emails.

Botnets

Botnets are networks coming from compromised computers that remote hackers control externally. The remote hackers will attack other computers or send spam using the botnets. Botnets can act as malware and perform malicious tasks.

Prohibited/Illegal Content

This cybercrime involves criminals sharing and distributing inappropriate content that will be considered highly distressing and offensive. Offensive content includes videos with intense violence, sexual content, or videos involving criminal activity. Illegal content involves promoting terrorism-related acts or child exploitation materials. This type of content exists on the internet and the dark web as it is an anonymous network.

Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is a type of cybercrime that involves online harassment. The user or victim can be subjected to cyberbullying, insults, and harassment using online messaging apps, posts, or emails. Usually, cyberstalkers would use search engines, social media, or websites to intimidate or instill fear in a victim. Typically, the cyberstalker knows their victim and makes the person feel afraid or concerned for his or her safety. An experienced internet crimes lawyer will handle the case and represent you in court.

Online Scams

These are usually within the types of ads or spam emails that include promises of rewards or offers of unrealistic amounts of cash. Online scams often include enticing offers that can attract the attention of the victim. When the victim clicks the offer or link, the malware will interfere to compromise the victim’s information.

Phishing

This kind of attack would involve a hacker. The hacker will send emails with malicious URLs or attachments to the users to gain access to their accounts or computers. Some cybercriminals are skilled which is why some of their emails are not flagged by the system as spam. Users are mostly tricked by the emails where they are told to give their password or update billing information which gives the criminals access to the victim’s account.

PUPs

PUPS refers to Potentially Unwanted Programs as a cyber threat that is not as problematic as the other listed cybercrimes. The PUPs would uninstall necessary software in your computer or system which includes pre-downloaded apps or search engines. They will put in adware or spyware instead which is why having antivirus software can help deter these PUPs.

Social Engineering

Social engineering is a cybercrime where the criminals are making direct contact with the victim using email or phone. They will make you confident and trust them while posing as a customer service agent to get the information needed to steal from your bank account or credit cards. This is often typically a password, the corporate you're employed for, or bank information. Cybercriminals will try to look for the victim using an online search method then add the victim. They will add the victim as a lover or family member on social accounts. Once they can access an account, they can sell your information or create other accounts using your name.

It looks like within the modern age of technology, hackers are taking up our systems and nobody is safe. The typical dwell-time, or time it takes a corporation to detect a cyber breach, is quite 200 days. Most internet users aren't dwelling on the very fact that they'll get hacked and many people rarely change their credentials or update passwords. This leaves many of us vulnerable to cybercrime and it’s important to become informed. Educate yourself on these cybercrimes to guard yourself against these crimes. For instance, if you become associated with an internet crime and get involved in cybercrime, an internet crimes lawyer can help you navigate the legal system.