What is Cybercrime: Its Types & Safeguarding Strategies

Introduction

If you aspire to become a cybersecurity professional and work for top companies, this time is the perfect opportunity for you. The cyber awareness need of 2024 starts with the need to understand “What is Cybercrime” and “What are the Different Types of Cybercrime?” followed by a detailed understanding of the concept either through cyber security classes or other credible online resources that can not only help you as a professional to excel but also help the netizens protect themselves from the choppy threats over the internet. So, a cybersecurity course is valuable for all.

The advent of technology has indeed enhanced human capabilities to meet the challenging needs of the competitive environment today. Still, the vulnerabilities in the technological architecture, including the computer networks and devices, have laid the foundations for online cheating, fraud, and theft. As such, cyber awareness is the only effective tool that can neutralize online threats and attempts. 

In this article, we will focus on understanding the core concepts of cybercrime by taking on elaborate questions like what cybercrime is, what the different types of cybercrime are, and what the right approach to cybercrime prevention could be.

We would also recommend going through JanBask’s cybersecurity certification programs designed to equip our students with knowledge and resources to fetch the most demanding jobs in the cybersecurity landscape.

What Is Cybercrime and Who Creates Cyberthreats?

So, what is cybercrime? Crimes performed over the internet using digital devices and technologies are called Cybercrime. The intent behind performing a cybercrime could range from professional to personal benefits. While things mostly revolve around financial benefits, technological misuse to commit personal reputational damage and spread vulgarity is equally prevalent. 

People who commit illegal and criminal activities over the internet are cybercriminals. It can be an individual or an organization hiring spammers to meet a paid objective, possibly for a company or political organization. It has also been noticed that employees working in cybercrime organizations start individual operations, gaining experience and expertise over time. This indicates that the risk of cybercrime exposure is increasing with time, and the need to undertake some basic cybersecurity classes to preserve cyber safety is mandatory to understand all the scenarios of threats over the internet.

The History of Cybercrime

After learning about what is cybercrime, let’s offer you some facts on the history of cybercrime. The history of cybercrime began in the 1970s with early computer hacking and data theft. As technology evolved, so did criminal tactics, leading to increasingly sophisticated attacks such as viruses and phishing attacks in the 1990s. Today, cybercrime encompasses a wide range of activities, from ransomware to identity theft, affecting millions globally.

What are the Types of Cybercrime?

We have listed some prominent types of cybersecurity threats that are common on the internet these days. However, please be informed that this list is not exhaustive. Cybercriminals are continuously developing tools and methodologies to counter software updates and carry out cyber attacks. Let us now move on to understanding the types of cybercrime, as mentioned earlier, with examples.

Types of Cybercrime with Example

Internet threats and crimes can be classified into categories of cybercrime.  The four main categories of cybercrime are 

1. Cybercrime types that target Individuals.
2. Cybercrimes that target business houses.
3. Activities that threaten national security can take many forms, including various types of cybercrimes also known as digital crimes. Despite being classified, these cybersecurity threats can often be combined to achieve malicious objectives. Understanding each type of cybercrime individually provides a comprehensive view of the tactics used online. If you are interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity or simply want to learn more about different types of cybercrimes and their prevention, we can start with reading cybersecurity books followed by a cybersecurity course from a credible institution.
4. Criminal Activities that pose a threat to society.

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The Impact of Cybercrime

The impact of cybercrime is huge and widespread. It crosses boundaries to damage individuals and organizations with financial losses, reputational damage, security threats, and operational disruption. We have seen in the examples above how the different types of digital crimes compelled even giant organizations to halt their operations for weeks and pay ransom. 

There have been several studies by reputed organizations, including federal reports, to analyze the impact of cybercrime, and the following are some data obtained that illustrates how the different types of Cybercrime are creating losses to organizations and individuals.

This includes: 

• According to the IBM Cost of Data Breach Report, the average data breach cost in 2022 was $4.35 million.
• The U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) states that ransomware payments reached $41.4 billion in 2022.
• A 2022 report by Cisco found that 60% of organizations have experienced a business-disrupting ransomware attack in the past year.
• A 2022 report by IBM found that 52% of consumers would not do business with a company that has experienced a data breach.
• The U.S. Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) report for 2023 found that there were 614 significant cyber incidents.

Why are Cybercrimes Increasing?

There are various reasons why cybercrimes are increasing, and one primary reason is the difficulty of investigating and prosecuting. While internet accessibility is unrestricted over different regions, legal jurisdiction does not allow cross-investigation over boundaries. Creating a false identity is easy on internet networks, and disbanding accounts makes it hard to trace the root of digital crimes, especially across international borders. This is why big industries are in dire need of talented cybersecurity engineers. 

The Other reasons behind growing cybercrimes include but are not limited to:

1. Vulnerable Devices:

A major reason behind the rising number of cybercrime instances is the presence of vulnerable devices and technologies. The Internet allows connecting with other devices and accessible files on a system; as such, scammers have developed tools that evade security and make stealing critical information over the network easy.

2. Technological advancements:

While on the one hand, technological advancements are creating new opportunities to develop highly efficient tools that make information sharing and accessibility easy, on the other hand, cybercriminals are using the advent of technology to develop tools and software that cause obstruction and damage the operation of an application or a computer. Instances arise when software denies service to a subscriber (D’os attack) and data associated with the software is compromised.

3. Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness:

Lack of security awareness is common among people and organizations. While non-techy folks favor free digital stuff, many organizations have weak cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard the organizational interest against cyber attacks. In both cases, systems are exposed to hackers for committing various types of Cybercrime.

4. Increased Reliance on Technology:

The Increased reliance on technology has connected our various devices for technology access. With each device needing security measures, any vulnerability may extend the attack surface for cybercriminals. Further, our increasing subscriptions and digital accounts distribute our data over the internet. Any weak platform lacking adequate cybersecurity infrastructure may lead to a data breach.

Cyber Crime Prevention & Critical Tools

Finding a single solution to counter the rising cybercrime threats is practically impossible. Individuals and organizations need to develop tools, follow best operation practices, obey the guidelines, and boost awareness to counter cyberattacks effectively.

Some preventive measures may include but are not limited to the following:

• Implementing strong cybersecurity measures: Installing genuine firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
• Educating employees about cybersecurity: Training employees to identify and report suspicious activity is crucial to prevent cyberattacks.
• Keeping software up to date: Regularly updating operating systems, applications, and firmware. 
• Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
• Backing up data regularly
• Proactive Responses
• Removing the malicious software or code
• Notifying affected parties
• Analyzing the incident and planning measures to prevent any future cyber-attack.

Suppose you’re reading this blog to develop an in-depth understanding of cybercrime and cyber security and are willing to make a career as a cyber security expert. In that case, our next section will help you take the initial steps!

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Skills Required To Become a Cyber Security Expert

Cybersecurity experts play a crucial role in mitigating the various types of Cybercrime. Besides providing personal protection, the essential cybersecurity skills that lead to cybersecurity expertise can fetch you an attractive career in the IT sector.  Now, what are those essential skills? Let’s take a walk through the essential skills that are required to become a Cybersecurity Expert.

As we all know, cybersecurity is a vast field with a constantly evolving landscape. Here's a breakdown of essential skills to consider:

Technical Skills

• Networking and System Administration: Understanding network infrastructure, protocols, and system administration is fundamental.
• Operating Systems: Proficiency in various operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS) is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities and implementing security measures.
• Network Security Control: Knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, VPNs, and other network security tools is essential.
• Malware Prevention and Detection: It is crucial to understand malware types and their behavior and to use antivirus and anti-malware software.
• Coding and Encryption: Proficiency in programming languages and encryption techniques is beneficial for developing security solutions.
• Cloud Security: With the increasing reliance on cloud platforms, understanding cloud security architectures and best practices is vital.
• Blockchain Security: Knowledge of blockchain technology and its security implications is becoming increasingly important.
• IoT Security: As the number of IoT devices grows, securing these devices becomes a critical area of expertise.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes in cybersecurity. Understanding AI and machine learning is valuable.

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving and Analytical Thinking: Cybersecurity professionals need to be able to identify, analyze, and resolve complex security issues.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential for explaining technical issues to non-technical stakeholders and collaborating with team members.
• Attention to Detail: Cybersecurity often involves meticulous analysis of data and systems to identify potential threats.
• Adaptability: The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, so professionals must be able to adapt to new technologies and threats.
• Teamwork: Collaboration with other IT professionals is crucial for effective security management.

Additional Skills

• Incident Response: The ability to respond to security incidents efficiently and effectively is a valuable skill.
• Digital Forensics: Investigating cybercrimes and recovering digital evidence requires specialized skills.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks is essential for protecting organizations.
• Compliance: Understanding and adhering to relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards is crucial.
• Remember: The specific skills required will vary depending on the cybersecurity role you pursue. Continuous learning with relevant certifications is essential to stay updated with the latest threats and technologies. Let’s learn about some crucial cybersecurity certifications. 

Cyber Security Certifications

Get ahead of the curve with trending cyber security courses available online and earn globally recognized top cyber security certifications that will uplift your career. The online cyber security courses enable you to gain basic to advanced cyber security skills and techniques to defend against cyber threats. Enroll now for CyberSecurity Training and learn how to be a cybersecurity engineer.

Eligibility For Cybersecurity Online Courses

Candidates should have a bachelor’s or equivalent degree. Candidates with a basic understanding of Database Applications and Network Security should apply for career advancement opportunities.

How JanBask Training Can Help!

Everything good has a flip side, and so will technological developments. To counter these flipping effects, we will need awareness that helps us take measures to prevent the ill effects. Cybercrime is a similarly evolving threat widely affecting individuals' lives and organizations' operations. The awareness needed in this space goes beyond the need to understand what cybercrime is or the types of Cybercrime. Educating ourselves and others about cybercrime is crucial to detecting, responding, and preventing threat incidents and promoting a culture of cybersecurity. 

We must also adhere strictly to safe practices that prevent adopting strong cybersecurity practices, such as using strong passwords, keeping software up to date, and being cautious about what we click online, and following cybercrime laws.

At JanBask, we have specifically designed cyber security courses and certification programs that range from weeks to months and include cyber security certificate programs as well as cyber security degree online programs,  imparting you with a need-based exposure to meet the internet threat challenges. Let’s join hands together. Working together can make our digital world safer and reduce the impact of cybercrime.

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• Access to Our Learning Management System
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FAQs

Q1. What are the types of cybercrime?

Ans- Types of Cybercrime are:

• Phishing attacks
• DDoS attacks
• Identity theft
• Ransomware
• Cyberstalking
• Internet fraud
• Cyber crime
• Cyber espionage
• Data breach

Q2. Explain types of Cybercrime with examples.

Ans- There are diversified types of cybercrime recorded across the globe, and some of the noteworthy examples are email fraud, social media fraud, banking fraud, ransomware attacks, cyber espionage, identity theft, clickjacking, and spyware. Let's explore how these crimes are carried out.

Q3. How Cyber-crime prevention can be done?

Ans-  Five easy tips for cyber crime prevention-:

• Check if you've already been involved in a data breach. Visit haveibeenpwned.com and change those passwords for any accounts that it suggests may have been compromised.
• Check the strength of your passwords.
• Avoid these passwords.
• Trust no one (on emails)
• Secure your device.

Q4. Are cybersecurity certification programs good for your career?

Ans- The cybersecurity certification program is important because it provides tangible evidence of a person's knowledge, skills, and expertise in the field of cybersecurity. It helps individuals stand out from other candidates in the job market and can also help them advance their careers within their current organizations. Earn a cyber security certificate by enrolling in Cyber Security classes.

Q5. Where can I get a cyber security degree online?

Ans- Get Ahead Of The Curve With Janbask's Cyber Security Courses Online.

Our online cyber security courses enable you to gain basic to advanced cyber security skills and techniques to defend against cyber threats. Enroll now for cybersecurity certification programs and Get Expertise in securing your Critical Systems with the cyber security certificate.