Legal Definitions - cybercrime

Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity that involves a computer, computer network, or networked device, either as the primary tool for the crime, the target of the crime, or both. It encompasses a wide range of illegal acts committed in the digital realm, often exploiting vulnerabilities in technology or human behavior to achieve illicit gains or cause harm.

Here are some examples to illustrate cybercrime:

• Example 1: Data Theft from a Corporate Network

  An unauthorized individual uses sophisticated hacking techniques to breach the security systems of a large technology company. They then download and steal proprietary source code and confidential customer data, intending to sell it to competitors or on the dark web.

  This scenario illustrates cybercrime because the perpetrator used computer networks and digital tools to illegally access and extract sensitive information from another computer system, directly targeting digital assets for illicit gain.

• Example 2: Online Phishing Scam

  A scammer sends out thousands of deceptive emails, impersonating a well-known bank. These emails contain a link to a fake website designed to look identical to the bank's official site. When unsuspecting recipients enter their login credentials on the fake site, the scammer captures their usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access to their real bank accounts.

  This is a form of cybercrime because the internet and digital communication (email and a fake website) are used as the primary instruments to perpetrate fraud, deceiving victims into revealing personal information for the purpose of financial theft.

• Example 3: Ransomware Attack on a Municipal System

  A criminal organization deploys ransomware onto a city's computer network, encrypting critical files and databases that manage public services like traffic lights, utility billing, and emergency dispatch. The criminals then demand a large sum of cryptocurrency in exchange for the decryption key, threatening to permanently delete the data if the ransom is not paid.

  This example demonstrates cybercrime as it involves using malicious software delivered via a computer network to disrupt and hold hostage a digital system, causing significant operational paralysis and demanding payment through digital means.