M1: Introduction to cyber crime BETCK105I Dr. Srilakshmi Prabhu
Module 1 – Introduction to cyber crime
1. Some important definitions
Cybercrime is defined as “Any unlawful, illegal or criminal activity committed using
computer network, the Internet, cyberspace and the WWW to steal a person’s identity or
sell contraband or violate privacy, trafficking in child pornography or stalk victims or
disrupt operations with malwares.”
Cyber security refers to application of technologies, processes and, methods to protect
server, computer, network, electronic system (smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc), data and
the services we access - both online and at work – from any unauthorized access through
malicious cyber-attacks.
Hacking refers to act of gaining unlawful or unauthorized access to another’s digital device,
computer system or computer network or server.
Cyber warfare refers to the use of computer or digital network for attacking, hacking, and
other carrying out malicious activities in the context of conflicts between nations, states, or
other organized groups. These attacks are aimed at disrupting, damaging, or gaining
unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, and infrastructure with the intent of
causing harm.
Cyberpunk refers to a genre of fiction that often explores themes related to hacking,
computer security, and the implications of advanced technology on society. Cyberpunk
literature, movies, and other media often depict hackers as central characters who use their
expertise to exploit or manipulate computer systems, challenge powerful organizations, and
navigate the complexities of cyberspace.
2. Who are cybercriminals? List and explain the categories cybercriminals.
(10 marks)
Cybercriminals are those who conduct act such as child pornography; credit card fraud, cyber
stalking, defame another online; gaining unauthorised access to a computer system; ignoring
copyright, software licensing and Trademark protection; overriding encryption to make illegal
copies; software piracy and stealing another's identity to perform criminal acts.
They can be categorised into three groups that reflect their motivation:
• Type I: Cybercriminals hungry for recognition
• Type II: Cybercriminals not interested in recognition
, M1: Introduction to cyber crime BETCK105I Dr. Srilakshmi Prabhu
• Type III: Cybercriminals the insiders
Type I cybercriminals are those who are hungry for recognition and seek fame for their action.
This category includes:
a. Hobby hackers: A person who enjoys exploring the limits of what is possible in the
spirit of play full cleverness
b. IT professionals: ethical hacker
c. Politically motivated hackers: promote the objective of individuals groups or Nation
supporting a variety of causes such as anti-globalization transitional conflict and
protest.
d. Terrorist organizations: cyber terrorism terrorist using the internet for attacks, large
scale destruction of computer networks.
Type II cybercriminals are those who are not interested to seek and recognition and seek fame
for their action. This category includes:
a. Psychological perverts: Express sexual Desire deviate from normal behaviour
b. Financially motivated hackers: make money from cyberattacks: bots for hire; fraud
through phishing information theft, spam and extortion.
c. State actors: Extremely professional groups working for governments.
d. Organized criminals: have the ability to worm into the network of media, major
corporations and different departments.
Type III cybercriminals are the insiders or internal attackers like:
a. Disgruntled or former employees seeking revenge
b. Competing companies using employees to gain economic advantage through the
damage for theft.
3. List the classification of cybercrimes. (6 marks)
Cybercrime is mainly classified into five types, namely:
1. Cybercrime against individual
a. E-mail spoofing
b. Spamming
c. Cyber stalking
Module 1 – Introduction to cyber crime
1. Some important definitions
Cybercrime is defined as “Any unlawful, illegal or criminal activity committed using
computer network, the Internet, cyberspace and the WWW to steal a person’s identity or
sell contraband or violate privacy, trafficking in child pornography or stalk victims or
disrupt operations with malwares.”
Cyber security refers to application of technologies, processes and, methods to protect
server, computer, network, electronic system (smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc), data and
the services we access - both online and at work – from any unauthorized access through
malicious cyber-attacks.
Hacking refers to act of gaining unlawful or unauthorized access to another’s digital device,
computer system or computer network or server.
Cyber warfare refers to the use of computer or digital network for attacking, hacking, and
other carrying out malicious activities in the context of conflicts between nations, states, or
other organized groups. These attacks are aimed at disrupting, damaging, or gaining
unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, and infrastructure with the intent of
causing harm.
Cyberpunk refers to a genre of fiction that often explores themes related to hacking,
computer security, and the implications of advanced technology on society. Cyberpunk
literature, movies, and other media often depict hackers as central characters who use their
expertise to exploit or manipulate computer systems, challenge powerful organizations, and
navigate the complexities of cyberspace.
2. Who are cybercriminals? List and explain the categories cybercriminals.
(10 marks)
Cybercriminals are those who conduct act such as child pornography; credit card fraud, cyber
stalking, defame another online; gaining unauthorised access to a computer system; ignoring
copyright, software licensing and Trademark protection; overriding encryption to make illegal
copies; software piracy and stealing another's identity to perform criminal acts.
They can be categorised into three groups that reflect their motivation:
• Type I: Cybercriminals hungry for recognition
• Type II: Cybercriminals not interested in recognition
, M1: Introduction to cyber crime BETCK105I Dr. Srilakshmi Prabhu
• Type III: Cybercriminals the insiders
Type I cybercriminals are those who are hungry for recognition and seek fame for their action.
This category includes:
a. Hobby hackers: A person who enjoys exploring the limits of what is possible in the
spirit of play full cleverness
b. IT professionals: ethical hacker
c. Politically motivated hackers: promote the objective of individuals groups or Nation
supporting a variety of causes such as anti-globalization transitional conflict and
protest.
d. Terrorist organizations: cyber terrorism terrorist using the internet for attacks, large
scale destruction of computer networks.
Type II cybercriminals are those who are not interested to seek and recognition and seek fame
for their action. This category includes:
a. Psychological perverts: Express sexual Desire deviate from normal behaviour
b. Financially motivated hackers: make money from cyberattacks: bots for hire; fraud
through phishing information theft, spam and extortion.
c. State actors: Extremely professional groups working for governments.
d. Organized criminals: have the ability to worm into the network of media, major
corporations and different departments.
Type III cybercriminals are the insiders or internal attackers like:
a. Disgruntled or former employees seeking revenge
b. Competing companies using employees to gain economic advantage through the
damage for theft.
3. List the classification of cybercrimes. (6 marks)
Cybercrime is mainly classified into five types, namely:
1. Cybercrime against individual
a. E-mail spoofing
b. Spamming
c. Cyber stalking
