Encyclopedia Britannica

  • History & Society
  • Science & Tech
  • Biographies
  • Animals & Nature
  • Geography & Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Games & Quizzes
  • On This Day
  • One Good Fact
  • New Articles
  • Lifestyles & Social Issues
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Politics, Law & Government
  • World History
  • Health & Medicine
  • Browse Biographies
  • Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
  • Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
  • Environment
  • Fossils & Geologic Time
  • Entertainment & Pop Culture
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Visual Arts
  • Demystified
  • Image Galleries
  • Infographics
  • Top Questions
  • Britannica Kids
  • Saving Earth
  • Space Next 50
  • Student Center
  • Introduction

Defining cybercrime

  • Identity theft and invasion of privacy
  • Internet fraud
  • File sharing and piracy
  • Counterfeiting and forgery
  • Child pornography
  • Computer viruses
  • Denial of service attacks
  • Spam, steganography, and e-mail hacking

digital crime essay

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Cybercrime
  • Federal Bereau of Investigation - What We Investigate - The Cyber Threat
  • College of DuPage Digital Press - Computers and Criminal Justice - Introduction to Cybercrime
  • Table Of Contents

Recent News

cybercrime , the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud , trafficking in child pornography and intellectual property, stealing identities , or violating privacy. Cybercrime, especially through the Internet , has grown in importance as the computer has become central to commerce, entertainment, and government.

Because of the early and widespread adoption of computers and the Internet in the United States , most of the earliest victims and villains of cybercrime were Americans. By the 21st century, though, hardly a hamlet remained anywhere in the world that had not been touched by cybercrime of one sort or another.

New technologies create new criminal opportunities but few new types of crime . What distinguishes cybercrime from traditional criminal activity? Obviously, one difference is the use of the digital computer , but technology alone is insufficient for any distinction that might exist between different realms of criminal activity. Criminals do not need a computer to commit fraud, traffic in child pornography and intellectual property, steal an identity, or violate someone’s privacy. All those activities existed before the “cyber” prefix became ubiquitous . Cybercrime, especially involving the Internet, represents an extension of existing criminal behaviour alongside some novel illegal activities.

Most cybercrime is an attack on information about individuals, corporations, or governments. Although the attacks do not take place on a physical body, they do take place on the personal or corporate virtual body, which is the set of informational attributes that define people and institutions on the Internet. In other words, in the digital age our virtual identities are essential elements of everyday life: we are a bundle of numbers and identifiers in multiple computer databases owned by governments and corporations. Cybercrime highlights the centrality of networked computers in our lives, as well as the fragility of such seemingly solid facts as individual identity.

An important aspect of cybercrime is its nonlocal character: actions can occur in jurisdictions separated by vast distances. This poses severe problems for law enforcement since previously local or even national crimes now require international cooperation. For example, if a person accesses child pornography located on a computer in a country that does not ban child pornography, is that individual committing a crime in a nation where such materials are illegal? Where exactly does cybercrime take place? Cyberspace is simply a richer version of the space where a telephone conversation takes place, somewhere between the two people having the conversation. As a planet-spanning network, the Internet offers criminals multiple hiding places in the real world as well as in the network itself. However, just as individuals walking on the ground leave marks that a skilled tracker can follow, cybercriminals leave clues as to their identity and location, despite their best efforts to cover their tracks. In order to follow such clues across national boundaries, though, international cybercrime treaties must be ratified.

In 1996 the Council of Europe , together with government representatives from the United States, Canada, and Japan, drafted a preliminary international treaty covering computer crime. Around the world, civil libertarian groups immediately protested provisions in the treaty requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to store information on their customers’ transactions and to turn this information over on demand. Work on the treaty proceeded nevertheless, and on November 23, 2001, the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime was signed by 30 states. The convention came into effect in 2004. Additional protocols , covering terrorist activities and racist and xenophobic cybercrimes, were proposed in 2002 and came into effect in 2006. In addition, various national laws, such as the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, have expanded law enforcement’s power to monitor and protect computer networks .

Types of cybercrime

digital crime essay

Cybercrime ranges across a spectrum of activities. At one end are crimes that involve fundamental breaches of personal or corporate privacy, such as assaults on the integrity of information held in digital depositories and the use of illegally obtained digital information to harass, harm, or blackmail a firm or individual. These new cybercapabilities have caused intense debate. Pegasus spyware , for instance, according to its creator, the Israeli cyber-intelligence firm NSO Group, is sold exclusively to government security and law enforcement agencies and only for the purpose of aiding rescue operations and battling criminals, such as money launderers , sex- and drug-traffickers, and terrorists. Yet, the smartphone-attached spyware, which can steal private data without leaving an obvious trace of its activities, has been widely used covertly by governments to track politicians, government leaders, human rights activists, dissidents , and journalists. It was even used to track Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi months before his murder and dismemberment by Saudi agents in October 2018. Also at this end of the spectrum is the growing crime of identity theft .

Midway along the spectrum lie transaction-based crimes such as fraud , trafficking in child pornography , digital piracy , money laundering , and counterfeiting . These are specific crimes with specific victims, but the criminal hides in the relative anonymity provided by the Internet . Another part of this type of crime involves individuals within corporations or government bureaucracies deliberately altering data for either profit or political objectives. At the other end of the spectrum are those crimes that involve attempts to disrupt the actual workings of the Internet. These range from spam , hacking, and denial of service attacks against specific sites to acts of cyberterrorism—that is, the use of the Internet to cause public disturbances and even death. Cyberterrorism focuses upon the use of the Internet by nonstate actors to affect a nation’s economic and technological infrastructure . Since the September 11 attacks of 2001, public awareness of the threat of cyberterrorism has grown dramatically.

Cyber Crime Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on cyber crime.

Cyber Crime Essay – Everybody thinks that only stealing someone’s private data is Cyber Crime. But in defining terms we can say that ‘Cyber Crime refers to the use of an electronic device (computer, laptop, etc.) for stealing someone’s data or trying to harm them using a computer.

Besides, it is an illegal activity that involves a series of issues ranging from theft to using your system or IP address as a tool for committing a crime.

Cyber Crime Essay

Types of Cyber Crime

Speaking in a broadway we can say that Cyber Crime are categorized into four major types. These are Financial, Privacy, Hacking, and Cyber Terrorism.

The financial crime they steal the money of user or account holders. Likewise, they also stole data of companies which can lead to financial crimes. Also, transactions are heavily risked because of them. Every year hackers stole lakhs and crores of rupees of businessmen and government.

Privacy crime includes stealing your private data which you do not want to share with the world. Moreover, due to it, the people suffer a lot and some even commit suicide because of their data’s misuse.

In, hacking they intentional deface a website to cause damage or loss to the public or owner. Apart from that, they destroy or make changes in the existing websites to diminish its value.

Modern-day terrorism has grown way beyond what it was 10-20 years ago. But cyber terrorism is not just related to terrorists or terrorist organizations. But to threat some person or property to the level of creating fear is also Cyber Terrorism.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Cyber Crime in India

Web world or cyberspace is a massive community of millions and billions of users and websites. Also, people access it for different uses like shopping, movies, music, video games, transactions, and e-commerce, etc.

digital crime essay

In this Age of Technology and easy access to the internet, anyone can easily reach it. Because of this fast pace growth from the previous decade. Besides, the internet has opened a world of information on which anyone can connect.

Due to, this the rate of crime especially the rate of Cyber Crime has increased much fold. Moreover, the rate of circulation of data is also increased much fold due to the higher speed of internet. Above all, due to all these issues, the Cybersecurity has become a major concern for society.

Laws related to Cyber Crimes

To stop the spread of Cyber Crime and to safeguard the interest of people the government has made several laws related to Cyber Crimes. Also, these laws serve as protection against Cyber Crime. Apart from that, the government has also introduced cyber cells in police stations to counter the problem of Cyber Crime as fast as they can.

Ways of stopping Cyber Crime

Cyber Crime is not something which we cannot deal with our self. Likewise, with little use of our common sense and logic, we can stop Cyber Crimes from happening.

To conclude, we can say that Cyber Crime is a dangerous offense to someone’s privacy or any material. Also, we can avoid Cyber Crime by following some basic logical things and using our common sense. Above all, Cyber Crime is a violation of not only law but of human rights too.

{ “@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{ “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is the main cause of Cyber Crime?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “The greed for quick money and the desire to get famous quickly are the two main reasons of Cyber Crime. Also, most of the targets of Cyber Crime banks, businessman, financial firms, etc.” } }, { “@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is the punishment of Cyber Crime in India?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “text”:”If the person is found guilty then there are several punishments based on the level of crime. A simple crime can cost you a fine while a bigger crime can lead you to jail.”} }] }

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

tutor

  • Travelling Essay
  • Picnic Essay
  • Our Country Essay
  • My Parents Essay
  • Essay on Favourite Personality
  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
  • Essay on Knowledge is Power
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on My Favourite Season
  • Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Google Play

--> Digital Crime Essay

Introduction.

Digital offenses refer to crime enacted in the course of using a computer as well as the unlawful misuse of the internet. There are differences between existing types of misdemeanors that are at present committed by digital means and prospective forms of crime impossible before the arrival of the interconnected systems. in general, these wrongs are divided into assorted groups. There is the unlawful interruption of telecommunications, electronic sabotage, theft of telecommunications services, pornography and other distasteful content, telemarketing schemes, electronic funds relocation and cash laundering (Dahl, 2004).

Internet misusers are liable to use servers in nations with the fewest limitations on their actions. Given the intricacies involved in enforcing rules across jurisdictions, avoidance strategies hold better promise of sinking digital crimes. These include individual and managerial security practices and policies featuring filtered software, secret word and encryption apparatus. Another possibility to reducing digital crime is the use of global treaties in overseeing cyberspace (Kizza, 2005). Wronged users should also be encouraged to report digital crime the instant that it happens. Extended statistics compilation and scrutiny as well as harmonization of these labors by the expert units within law enforcement will act as rigid deterrents to potential criminals.

Digital crime includes unauthorized invasion of computer credit reports, intrusions into classified documents, probing in email accounts, as well as changing others’ credit accounts. Many digital criminals do not get their information from picking up a modem, acquiring a cellular phone number then infringing on the organization. They obtain it by dumpster diving- which is finding credit card facts, passwords and other important computer records that companies just dispose of. Using the most up latest computer software makes it unlikely that a hacker will discern how to compromise it.

An additional deterrent is the utilization of a superior password. An uncommon word that includes numerals. As the internet continues to enlarge, we put more and more private information in it. Individual information inclusive of monetary data put in an open structure online with no intrinsically built in safety measures. As more wealth flows into cyberspace, crime follows the capital (Tsun Li, 2009). A hacker is one who invades computers and computer networks for personal gain or as a gesture of remonstration. Hacking is the practice of altering software and hardware to achieve an objective outside of its founder’s inventive function. The fact that the true hacker is upraised to hero status with stories of his or her accomplishments being spread by admirers encourages this vice.

Many trust that the aim of a computer hacker is simply to cause computer systems to collapse but sometimes the goals are more unlawful. Theft of telephone service, credit card and monetary information are all actions that are performed by hackers. Hackers regard themselves as elite; with some members of the crowd representing senior and minor levels of capability within the fundamental qualifications for membership. Part of the appeal of the hacker legend to the programmer is perhaps the very anonymity of the accomplishments elaborated on in legends (Lilley 2002). Many stories go into specify the programming skills of the champion; but one would have to have at least some understanding to appreciate what is so amazing.

A connected facet is that the hacker is habitually able to execute some exploit that even the computer designer did not think probable. Learning to hack requires a considerable amount of time as does perpetuating these acts. There are two kinds of hackers: the lowly employed and the paid criminals. Safety experts, script kiddies, lowly employed adults, ideological hackers, unlawful hackers, business spies and discontented staff all count hackers within their ranks (Kanellis, 2006).

Security experts are able to hack but refrain from doing so for ethical or economical reasons. There is more wealth in preventing of hacking than in committing it. Therefore, many experts expend their time in updating their skills vis a vis the hacking society to make themselves more efficient in the fight against it. Many great internet service organizations pay moral hackers to examine their safety systems and those of their patrons. Previous hackers now consult autonomously as defense experts to standard businesses.

Script kiddies are school goers who hack even while occupied with acquiring formal education. They register in whichever computer associated courses are offered to get admission to the computer lab. These are concerned mostly with showing of to their peers and not getting apprehended. These hackers comprise the huge majority of the total hacking action on the internet. They also hack chiefly to get free things, software and tunes mostly. They also divide pirated software between themselves.

Lowly employed grown-up hackers are previous script kiddies who have either left school or been unsuccessful in achieving more satisfactory occupations and/or family unit commitments for some reason or other. This cluster writes the bulk of software viruses(Strebe, 2004). They want to amaze their peers with exploits, increase their own information and formulate a declaration of defiance against the administration or business. They hack for the technical challenge and are the basis for the vast majority of software printed purposely for hackers.

Ideological hackers are persons who hack to advance some political rationale. It is most frequent in political arenas such as conservationism and patriotism. They usually despoil websites or carry out ‘denial of service’ attacks in opposition to their ideological enemies. These pursue mass media exposure for their activities. This kind of hacking comes in waves every time chief events take place in political arenas.

Criminal hackers hack for the purposes of retribution, to commit larceny or for the pure pleasure of causing injury. They are socially distorted and exceedingly unusual. They are of modest risk to institutions that do not contract in large volumes of computer based fiscal dealings. Actual commercial spies are very uncommon as it is very dear and risky to utilize these devices against opposing companies. Nearly all senior rank military spy cases involve persons who have implausible admittance to information, but as civic servants don’t earn much.

Dissatisfied employees are the most hazardous and most likely safety problem of all. They have both the means and format to do grave harm to the corporation network. Attacks vary from compound (a network officer who spends time analyzing others’ mail) to the uncomplicated (an irritated clerk who damages the computer folder server). It is most effectual to let all workers know that the I T subdivision audits all user action for the intention of protection. This stops troubles from starting.

The problem in accomplishing security necessities on the part of a network operative is that network safety is a full time occupation. Network security workers in large organizations must spend a substantial section of their waking hours lurking about hacker websites merely to keep themselves informed of developments. They must also acquaint themselves with novel up coming expertise. In the 1970’s and 1980’s hackers were more or less young computer experts, and because the information base required at the time was so broad, not many of them existed. Today any computer savvy teenagers with a yen to hack can effortlessly furnish themselves with the weapons to do so with no need to comprehend the mechanisms by which they function. Fortunately, security software has kept pace with the democratization of hacking.

The security expert now has a vast armory available. While the quantity of goods on the market is substantial, the basic approaches they symbolize are not plentiful and the network operator should be able to simply grasp them. Safety professionals frequently employ encryption software to make vital information illegible to the hacker. Current encryption methods are extremely successful and encoded material can only be decrypted by invaders who have access to extraordinarily parallel computing systems operating for long periods at a time.

Encryption skills today utilize rounds. These are consecutive re-encryptions that can add up to millions and formulate encrypted data to be more and more unsystematic and pointless. Fundamentally, there isn’t a technique to de-crypt such communications by intelligent insights. Instead the impostor has to try out all probable codes one by one with a specific de-cryption programme.

With sufficient computing rapidity, almost any device’s code can be compromised, but such speed is not obtainable to a solitary hacker with a central processing unit. Business proceedings, client profiles and billing statistics should be habitually encrypted and should by no means be accessible where they can be intercepted in de-crypted structure.

Related essays

  • Mulatto Girl Beauty
  • London’s Greatest Landmarks
  • The Little Black Dress

Authorization

Our Specialization

  • Plagiarism-Free Papers
  • Free revisions
  • Free outline
  • Free bibliography page
  • Free formatting
  • Free title page
  • 24/7/365 customer support
  • 300 words per page

Home / Essay Samples / Crime / Cyber Crimes / Digital Era And Cyber Crime

Digital Era And Cyber Crime

  • Category: Crime
  • Topic: Cyber Crimes

Pages: 2 (685 words)

Views: 2076

  • Downloads: -->

Introduction

Social sites.

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Juvenile Justice System Essays

Stealing Essays

Sexual Harassment Essays

Identity Theft Essays

Cyber Crimes Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service  and  Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->