Understanding the Types of Cybercrime to Watch Out For

Countless types of cybercrime can threaten a company. Therefore, you must implement a robust cybersecurity system to effectively prevent, protect against, and address various types of cybercrime.

However, before implementing a cybersecurity system, you must understand the types of cybercrime that can threaten your company. Let’s take a look at the full explanation below!

What Are the Types of Cybercrime to Watch Out For?

Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity that occurs in cyberspace. Many types of cybercrime can affect anyone. Here are some types of cybercrime to watch out for.

1. Phishing

Phishing is a type of cybercrime carried out to steal personal data and information from individuals. Typically, phishing involves impersonating a specific entity—such as a government agency or an organization with which you have a relationship. The perpetrator sends a message, such as an email, containing a fake link; clicking this link grants the perpetrator access to the victim’s device.

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Phishers usually target sensitive data and information, such as passwords, credit card information, email addresses, and even OTPs (One-Time Passwords). This data and information is typically misused to steal money from the victim’s bank account, make purchases using the victim’s credit card, impersonate the victim to extort money, and for other forms of misuse of personal data and information.

2. DDoS Attacks

DDoS attacks are a type of cybercrime used to make online services unavailable and cripple networks by flooding websites with traffic from various sources. A large network of infected devices, known as a botnet, is created by planting malware on users’ computers. Hackers then gain access to the system once the network is down to steal various types of data.

3. Botnets

A botnet is a type of cybercrime carried out by infiltrating a network of computers that are externally controlled by hackers remotely. Hackers then use this botnet to send spam or attack other computers. Botnets can also be used to act as malware and perform harmful tasks.

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4. Identity Theft

This type of cybercrime occurs when perpetrators gain access to a victim’s personal data and information to steal funds, access confidential and sensitive information, or even participate in tax or health insurance fraud. Perpetrators can also open bank accounts in the victim’s name, use the victim’s identity to commit criminal activities, and much more.

Perpetrators can commit this type of cybercrime by hacking to obtain the victim’s passwords, gathering the victim’s personal information from social media, or sending phishing emails. Additionally, this can occur in the real world, not just online.

5. Cyberstalking

This type of cybercrime refers to online harassment in which the victim is targeted with a large number of messages, whether via email or social media. Often, cyberstalkers use social media, websites, and search engines to intimidate the victim and instill fear. Typically, these cyberstalkers are people who know their victims.

6. PUPs

PUPs, or Potentially Unwanted Programs, are a type of cybercrime that is relatively less threatening compared to other types of cybercrime. However, PUPs are a form of malware. They can remove essential software from your system, such as search engines and previously downloaded applications. Additionally, PUPs may include spyware or adware. You can install antivirus software to avoid these PUPs.

7. Prohibited or Illegal Content

This type of cybercrime involves criminals who share and distribute inappropriate and SARA-related content. This content can include pornography, videos containing violence, terrorism, child exploitation, and other criminal activities. Essentially, prohibited or illegal content is content that involves criminal acts.

8. Online Fraud

This type of cybercrime is usually carried out through advertisements or spam emails offering unrealistic prizes or large sums of money. Typically, online scammers will present enticing but unrealistic offers; clicking on the provided links can allow malware to infiltrate the device being used, stealing various types of data and information.

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9. Carding

Carding is a type of cybercrime aimed at stealing credit or debit card information belonging to others. The perpetrators then use this data to carry out various transactions from the victim’s account, withdraw funds from the victim’s account, transfer credit card limits to the perpetrator’s account, and much more.

There are two categories of carding crimes: Card Present and Card Not Present. Card Present involves data theft carried out using an EDC card skimmer attached to an ATM or similar machine. Meanwhile, Card Not Present is carried out via the internet, typically using phishing or hacking to obtain the victim’s card data.

10. OTP Scams

OTP, or One-Time Password, is a code that functions as a single-use password for verification purposes. Typically, scammers carry out OTP scams to obtain this code in order to gain access to the victim’s account or steal the victim’s data. Therefore, you must never share your OTP with anyone.

11. Scam

A scam is a type of cybercrime usually carried out directly by the perpetrator. Often, the perpetrator will contact the victim by phone and pose as a customer service representative from a company the victim uses to obtain the victim’s personal data and information. After successfully obtaining the victim’s data and information, they will sell it or misuse it.

12. Cyber Espionage

Cyber espionage is a type of cybercrime carried out to spy on specific targets. Typically, this crime is committed by exploiting spyware applications or software secretly installed to monitor the victim.

13. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of cybercrime carried out through malicious applications or software secretly installed on the victim’s device to hold critical information hostage until the perpetrator’s demands are met. Essentially, ransomware is data kidnapping, where the data is released once the kidnapper’s demands are met. However, the data that has been kidnapped is usually not returned.

These are the types of cybercrimes you absolutely must be aware of. If you need a security system that can prevent and protect against cybercrime, try Cloudmatika’s cybersecurity services. There are many cybersecurity solutions you can implement, ranging from Cyber Protection, WAF, Mail Buster, to High Security Cloud Storage. Contact us today for more information.