Be On the Lookout For These 7 Types of Cybercrime!
There are dozens of types of cybercrime, which is defined as any type of criminal activity that are carried out by means of computers or the internet. Many types of cyber crimes are committed against businesses, others are aimed at personal home computer users, and some you may even be committing yourself without even realizing it. Here are seven of the most common types of cyber crimes to look out for so you can protect your business, your family, and yourself from the consequences.1. Identity Theft
One of the most common types of cybercrime, criminals usually steal addresses, email addresses, credit card information, bank account numbers, and social security numbers. With all of this information, the criminal can pretend to be you and wreak all sorts of havoc in every aspect of your financial life.2. Sales and Investment Fraud
Fraudsters can entice others to buy products that will never arrive, or invest in easy and “profitable” opportunities that will never come to fruition. These scams can be hard to distinguish from real purchases and opportunities because the cybercriminal may use templates and contact information that look real, and sometimes they’ve even gotten ahold of your own personal information in order to “prove” to you that they are legit.3. Forgery and Counterfeiting
This cybercrime typically involves using unauthorized access to open, read, and copy documents. This includes contracts and other confidential information. However, also consider that digital copyright and software piracy are also types of forgery and counterfeiting. If you’re copying, downloading, sharing, or selling copyrighted software, music, tv shows, or movies, you’re committing a crime.
4. Espionage
Cyber espionage is modern-day spying. This is usually perpetrated against a business who competes with yours (and wants to steal your trade secrets) or against another person for personal reasons (such as stalking the whereabouts of your ex).5. Viruses and Malware
The spreading of viruses and malicious software (malware) can cause a complete breakdown of your entire computer system. These can be sent to you by opening an infected email, clicking on an infected ad, or even through your own network via an attack. Never download anything if you don’t know and trust the source! An infection damages or destroys your system, software, or data.6. Cyber Bullying
There are state and federal laws against cyberbullying and cyberharassment, but they both still take place at an alarming rate. You can get in big trouble for online verbal abuse or sharing photos without permission, especially when it happens intensely and frequently; involves any mention of gender, race, faith, sexuality; or uses threatening language.7. Child Pornography and Child Soliciting
This one is particularly heinous. Child pornography and child soliciting is vigorously prosecuted regardless of the circumstances. Never visit pornography sites or chat rooms for the purpose of seeing or talking to a child or teenager. It is a crime and considered sexual abuse when you look at or contact someone under 18 years old for nefarious purposes. Keep in mind that a minor may be posing as an adult or an adult may be posing as a minor. Now that you know to watch out for these seven types of cybercrime, you’ll be better prepared to protect your business, your family, and yourself. If you’ve been accused of committing a cybercrime, contact The Law Office of Bradley Corbett for help defending your case.
Bradley Corbett
Bradley Corbett is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah in 2004. Later he enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego where he participated in a prestigious internship program with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Since then he has handled over 2,000 cases.