What is cybercrime?
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Like traditional crime, cybercrime can take many shapes and can occur nearly anytime or anyplace. Criminals committing cybercrime use a number of methods, depending on their skill-set and their goal. This should not be surprising: cybercrime is, after all, simply ‘crime’ with some sort of ‘computer’ or ‘cyber’ aspect.
- Cybercrime has surpassed illegal drug trafficking as a criminal moneymaker.*
- Every three seconds an identity is stolen.**
- Without security, your unprotected PC can become infected within four minutes of connecting to the Internet.***
The Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Treaty uses the term ‘cybercrime’ to refer to offenses ranging from criminal activity against data to content and copyright infringement [Krone, 2005]. However, others [Zeviar-Geese, 1997–98] suggest that the definition is broader, including activities such as fraud, unauthorised access, child pornography, and cyberstalking. The United Nations Manual on the Prevention and Control of Computer- Rela...
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