Types of Cyber crime, and how to protect yourself against them?

Cyber Crime Overview

Cyber crime is on the rise in today’s technological world. Criminals on the internet use the sensitive information of internet users. They scour the dark web for illicit goods and services to purchase and sell. They also have access to top-secret government data.There are various types of cyber crimes, Let us read further.

Cyber crime has reached new heights, costing businesses and individuals billions of dollars per year. What’s scarier is that this number only covers the last five years, with no end in sight. Because of the growth of technology and the growing usability of smart technology, hackers have many access points inside users’ homes to manipulate.

In this article, we will discuss:

  • What is Cyber crime?
  • Types of Cyber crime ?
  • Some significant Cyber crime examples in the past.
  • How to protect yourself against Cyber crime?

What is Cyber crime?

Any criminal activity involving a computer, another digital device, or a computer network is Cyber crime. Social engineering, software vulnerability vulnerabilities, and network attacks are examples of emerging cybersecurity threats. However, it also covers illegal activities such as hacktivist protests, abuse and bribery, money laundering, and more.

Individuals and businesses are also subjects of Cyber crime. Attackers typically go after companies for monetary benefit or to undermine or interrupt operations. Individuals are targeted as part of large-scale scams, or their smartphones are compromised and used as a conduit for criminal activity.

Types of Cyber crime

The US Department of Justice recognises three types of Cyber crime in situations where:

  1. A computer is the target of the attack—like a data breach on a network.
  2. A computer is a weapon for an attack—like a denial of service or (DoS) attack.
  3. A computer is a tool for a criminal act—like digital identity theft, which leads to theft of funds from a bank account.

Here is the list of various types of Cyber crimes:

Distributed DoS Attacks

DDoS attacks (distributed denial-of-service attacks) are Cyber crime attack that cybercriminals use to bring a system or network down. DDoS attacks are often launched using linked IoT (internet of things) computers.

A DDoS attack overwhelms a device by flooding it with link requests through standard communication protocols.

The 2017 distributed DoS attack on the UK National Lottery website is a well-known example of this form of attack.


This type of cyber crime is when spam emails or other types of communication are sent in bulk, the aim is to trick recipients into doing something that compromises their security or the company’s security.

Infected attachments or links leading to malicious websites can be used in phishing campaign messages. Alternatively, they can request that the recipient responds with confidential information.

One of the most well-known phishing scams of 2018 occurred during the World Cup. The World Cup phishing scheme, according to information from Inc, included emails sent to football fans.


Botnets are a collection of computers that have been infected with malware, hacked, and linked to a central command and control centre by cybercriminals.

 The attackers continue to add devices to their botnet, which they use to send spam emails, launch DDoS assaults, commit click fraud, and mine cryptocurrency. Users are often unaware that their device is being used as a cyber-crime tool.

Prohibited/Illegal Content

Criminals engage in these types of Cyber crime by posting and disseminating objectionable information that can be distressing and offensive. 

Sexual intercourse between adults, videos of extreme violence, and videos of illegal activity are examples of offensive content. 

Materials promoting terrorism and child trafficking are examples of illegal content. People can find this form of content on both the public internet and the dark web, an anonymous network.

Identity Theft

This types of cyber crime is when an attacker gains access to a user’s details, they can use it to steal money or access sensitive information to commit tax or health insurance fraud. 

They can also use your identity and information to open a phone/internet account, plan some illegal activity, or demand government benefits in your name. 

They could break into users’ passwords, steal personal information from social media, or send out phishing emails.

Online Scams

These are typically in the form of ads or spam emails that have promises of incentives or money that are too good to be true. 

Scams on the internet contain exciting deals that are “too good to be true” and, when clicked on, they can result in malware conflicting with and compromising information.


This types of Cyber crime entails online abuse, in which the user is bombarded with messages and emails. Cyberstalkers typically use social media, blogs, and search engines to threaten and fear users. 

The cyberstalker usually knows their target and makes them feel threatened or worried about their safety.

Social Engineering

Criminals use social engineering to make direct contact with you, usually by phone or email. They typically act as a customer service agent to gain your confidence and obtain the information they need. It is usually a password, your employer’s name, or your bank account number.

 Cybercriminals would gather as much information about you as possible on the internet before attempting to make you a friend on social media accounts. They can sell your details or open accounts in your name once they gain access to a reserve.

Exploit Kits

To gain control of a user’s computer, exploit kits need a vulnerability (a flaw in software code). They are ready-to-use resources that offenders can purchase online and use against anyone who has access to a device. 

Exploit kits, like standard apps, are updated regularly and are available on dark web hacking forums.


PUPS, or Potentially Unwanted Programs, are malware that is less dangerous than other Cyber crime. They remove essential functionality from your computers, such as search engines and pre-installed applications. 

Since they can contain spyware or adware, it’s a good idea to instal antivirus software to protect yourself from malicious downloads.

Read more about Information Act 2000 is law bought in place by the Indian government to deal with cyber crime.

Below is the list of Types of Cyber crime with examples.

  • In 2013-2016, Yahoo had a data hack, resulting in 3 billion user accounts theft. The attackers obtained private information and passwords for some of these accounts, which hackers could use to access user accounts on other online services. Most of this information is currently accessible on the dark web, either for free or for a fee.


  • In 2014, attackers hacked the point-of-sale systems of US retailer Home Depot. Every credit card swiped at Home Depot stores was intercepted for a time, and its details were compromised by the attackers, who stole 50 million personal credit cards.


  • In 2016,  over 1 million connected devices in the Internet of Things were hacked by the attackers due to software vulnerabilities, resulting in the largest-ever distributed denial of service (DDoS) assault. The attack disrupted the global domain name system (DNS) and common services such as Twitter, Netflix, and PayPal.


  • In 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack, which North Korea allegedly launched, unleashed ransomware. It encrypts data on user devices and spreads quickly. WannaCry infected 300,000 computers worldwide, prompting users to pay hundreds of dollars to decrypt and restore their files.

How to protect yourself against Cyber crime?

Hackers seem to be taking over our networks in the new age of technology, and no one appears healthy. The average dwell-time, or the amount of time it takes for an organisation to discover a cyber attack, is over 200 days. 

Most internet users are unconcerned about the possibility of being hacked, and they seldom change or upgrade their passwords. Thus, many people are susceptible to these types of Cyber crime, so it’s essential to educate yourself. Educate yourself and others about the precautions you should take to protect yourself as a person or business.

  • Keep software and operating system updated.

Updating your applications and operating system means that you can access the most recent security updates to secure your device.

  • Use antivirus software and keep it updated.

Antivirus software or a robust internet security solution, such as Kaspersky Total Security, is an excellent way to keep your device safe from attacks.

Antivirus software scans detects and removes threats until they become an issue. This security helps protect your device and data from these types of Cyber crime, providing you with peace of mind.

If you use antivirus software, make sure it’s up to date so you can get the most out of it.

  • Use strong passwords.

Use solid passwords that no one can guess and don’t write them down anywhere. To make it simpler, use a reputable password manager to create strong passwords at random.

  • Never open attachments in spam emails.

Email attachments in spam emails are a popular way for computers to become infected with malware and other types of Cyber crime. Never open any email attachments from unknown sources.

  • Do not click on links in spam box or untrusted websites.

Clicking on links in spam email box or other posts or obscure websites is another way for people to become victims of Cyber crime. To stay healthy online, avoid doing this.

  • Do not tell your personal information to anyone on the internet.

Personal information should never be shared over the phone or by email unless you are certain the line or email is safe. Make sure you’re talking to the person you think you’re talking to.

  • Contact companies directly about suspicious requests.

Hang up if you are asked for information by an organisation that has called you. To ensure you’re dealing with them and not a cybercriminal, call them back using the number mentioned on their official website.

Since cybercriminals will keep the line open, it’s best to use a different phone. They will claim to be from the bank or other entity you think you’re referring to when you feel you’ve re-dialled.

  • Have a check on which website URLs you visit.

Keep a close eye on the URLs you’re visiting. Do they appear to be genuine? Avoid clicking on URLs that seem to be unfamiliar or spammy.

Before conducting financial transactions online, make sure your internet protection product provides features to protect online transactions.

  • Keep an eye on your bank statements.

Our recommendations should help you avoid being a victim of Cyber crime. If all else fails, it’s essential to recognise that you’ve become a target of Cyber crime as soon as possible.

Keep a check on your bank account statements and contact the bank if you notice any unusual transactions. The bank may investigate them to see if they are fraudulent.

Now that you’re aware of the dangers of Cyber crime, you can take steps to defend yourself.


Read more about the surge in Cyber crimes in the world. And How IT companies are acquiring Cyber security companies to combat these attacks.


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