Common Types of Cybercrimes

Technology is rapidly advancing and as our society is becoming more integrated with the internet, the rate of cybercrimes is increasing dramatically. To stay protected as much as possible, below are some of the most common types of cybercrimes. 

Fraud

Online scams are a newer type of fraud, but we have all experienced them at some point. You anonymously receive an email or text message asking you to provide detailed information or to sign into a shady website. This is referred to as “phishing”. Phishing is used to obtain as much personal information as possible.

Sex Crimes

The most common online sex crime is child pornography. Sexual exploitation of a child or child pornography is a serious sexual offense and a felony. Depending on the acts committed, sexual exploitation of a child can be punishable by up to 12 years in prison. Additionally, the convicted person would also be required to register as a sex offender. Even the minimum punishment would be 2-6 years in prison, a fine, and mandatory sex offender registration.

Electronic Bullying

Bullying is completely under control on online platforms. However, after many suicide attempts from young users, it has been criminalized. Online bullying is a class 3 misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and carries a heavy fine. So, if you ever feel harassed by these online keyboard warriors, call an attorney to file a claim.

Malware or Viruses

Deliberately distributing malware and computer viruses is a crime. In most cases, because malware and viruses can affect people from outside the state, this can become a federal crime. Depending on the monetary value of the damage caused by this malware or viruses, this type of distribution can be punishable as a class 2 felony.

Piracy

We are warned at the beginning of every film that it is a federal offense to reproduce any movie or music file and is punishable by law. If you choose to reproduce a movie or some music, this is called piracy. Games are also becoming increasingly popular in piracy, and in some cases, can lead to severe sentencing.

Contact a Cyber Crime Attorney

Technology is quite complicated, and the laws surrounding it can prove to be even more complex. To get the best representation and legal advice for cyber crimes, contact our firm today and get a  consultation today.