Internet crime, or cybercrime, is a growing threat that continues to force the law to adapt in this digital age of criminal defense. As more and more aspects of daily life integrate with the online world, it becomes more necessary to guard against online crime.
To protect yourself from becoming a victim or accusee of cybercrime, you can familiarize yourself with the common types of Internet crimes that that becoming increasingly prevalent in the online space.
Phishing
A phishing scam involves impersonating a well-known brand or seemingly trustworthy individual to lure victims into accessing malicious websites. From there, victims unwittingly volunteer personal information by way of filling out forms or giving scripts access to their web browser.
Fraud
Perpetrators of Internet fraud often impersonate potential employers or people in distress in an effort to solicit money from their victims. In some cases, a scammer posing as a company representative will request bank information rather than asking for money outright.
Piracy
Piracy is a popular example of online intellectual property infringement. Any act of reproducing or spreading materials without authorization from their intellectual property holders falls under piracy.
Harassment
Social media and other online mediums make it relatively easy for malicious individuals to stalk or harass their victims. Relentless messaging, slander and the spreading of personal information are all examples of cyberbullying that can have serious effects on one’s mental state.
The increasing accessibility of the Internet leads to more and more examples of Internet crime. A criminal defense attorney with a background in computer science can approach such cybercrime cases with a unique perspective.
