In this digital age, Cybercrime is any crime committed using the computer or any connected digital devices.

Cybercrime started in the 1970s with the hacking of computerized phones to make long distance calls without paying.

Currently, individuals, governments and organizations are losing billions of dollars annually to cybercrime. The FBI which is one of the foremost fighters of cybercrime is currently investigating more than 80 cases of cybercrimes committed in the US or against US citizens.

The big issue here is this, people feel they are immune against cybercrime, yet they do not have a complete understanding of what cybercrime is.

Some of these people have fallen victim of cybercrime before realising their folly in not knowing what exactly cybercrime entails. In view of the above, this article gives a brief summary of the common types of cybercrimes.

Popular types of Cybercrimes

1. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Distributed Denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) focuses on attacking organization’s severs, networks, websites, or services with the purpose of extorting money in form of cryptocurrency, installing malware or stealing valuable data.

In addition, DDoS targets organizations like Banks and other organizations like Gaming industries, and other major websites and services.

Also, DDoS works by hijacking smaller computer networks and servers, IoTs, and other devices to direct traffic to the target. The target is overwhelmed by the traffic and eventually brought down.

2. Identity Theft

Identity theft focuses on stealing personal information like bank details, passwords, credit and debit card numbers, social security, date of birth, etc. the purpose of identity theft is for stealing and participating in mortgage, health, tax or insurance frauds.

3. Hacking

Hacking focuses on gaining unauthorized access to data and information from devices, servers, websites, or services at various levels. Most hackers focuses public and private organizations, however, there are hackers who focuses on individuals for the purpose of stealing personal information.

4. Scamming

Scamming is one way of stealing from the unsuspecting individuals. Usually scam works in various ways, but the common ways are through ads and spam mails offering individuals promotions and offers that are ‘too good to be true.’

5. Spamming

Spamming works by using email services to send emails with fake links or malwares for the purpose of scamming. Usually, unsolicited messages of fake offers and promotions containing fake links or malwares are sent to users.

6. Phishing

Phishing works in the same way with spamming. However, phishing uses names of legitimate organizations to send fake email messages to a large number of users with the purpose of extracting information like credit card number, passwords, social security number etc. usually, names of financial institutions are used in phishing attacks.

7. Social engineering

Social engineering involves cybercriminals befriending an unsuspecting target personally or by getting in touch through phone calls and emails.

Moreover, Social engineering works by convincing the victim to part ways with cash personal information that can be used to swindle target victims of their hard earned money.

8. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves bullying individuals online, sending individuals nesting messages or blackmailing an individual.

Also, Cybercrime in its various forms is currently the greatest threat to humanity. Therefore, fighting cybercrimes starts by learning more about cybercrimes and its operations.

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