{"id":11872,"date":"2020-07-20T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T08:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/?p=11872"},"modified":"2025-05-21T11:39:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T11:39:52","slug":"what-is-cybercrime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Cybercrime?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<p>With technology advancing and the dependence on the internet increasing by the day, users have considerably vulnerable to certain criminal activities. In other words, the web is being widely misused by some users for all sorts of reasons.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11887\" title=\"What is Cybercrime\" src=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f-300x125.png\" alt=\"What is Cybercrime\" width=\"1200\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f-1024x427.png 1024w, https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f-1536x640.png 1536w, https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Have you ever experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior or activities over the web? Something that probably feels like it doesn\u2019t belong on the internet or it\u2019s just not morally and ethically correct; there\u2019s a high chance that you came across an act of cybercrime.<\/p>\n <div class=\"fastest-hd-btn\">\n <a class=\"hd-conter-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/lifetime-special-deals?a_aid=634829be4d0b2\" title=\"Get FastestVPN\">Get FastestVPN <i class=\"fa fa-hand-o-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<h2>What exactly is cybercrime?<\/h2>\n<p>Cybercrime is refers to any form of criminal activity that involves a computer and the internet. Cybercrime can use a computer to perform a particular crime by targeting a user(s), on a lower scale.On a larger scale, it can be used to threaten a person\u2019s security and financial position. However, if done by a professional, it can be upgraded to such a level that it puts an entire nation\u2019s security at risk.<\/p>\n<p>It shouldn\u2019t be taken lightly at all; cybercrime is known to be incredibly dangerous.<\/p>\n<h3>How does cybercrime take place?<\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned above, cybercrime is done with great attention to detail, and many cybercriminals buy and sell malware online on the dark web. They even get their malware tested to determine the efficiency of their viruses.<\/p>\n<p>Once the criminal has a working plan and code, they carefully attack multiple systems. Cybercrime is now known to cause financial damage to many institutions. With many devices depending on the internet, it allows cybercriminals to make steal confidential information and steal as much money as possible.<\/p>\n<p>There are many types of cybercrimes and done in multiple ways. Keep reading to find out more.<\/p>\n<h3>Types of Cybercrime<\/h3>\n<p>Cybercrime can be as simple as intercepting a computer system by transmitting malware to hacking the entire US stock market. It has many forms, here are some of the most common examples of cybercrime.<\/p>\n<h4>1- Malware<\/h4>\n<p>The most common form of malware that cybercriminal has created is malware. Malware is a malicious code that can alter the functionality of a computer and even cause damage. It infects the computer and destroys or corrupts files and slows down the overall performance of the computer. Malware can also include multiple types of malicious software such as ransomware, which encrypts your data and asks for a money to unlock it.<\/p>\n<h4>2- Cyberbullying<\/h4>\n<p>Attacking people over the internet, harassing them, or stalking them endlessly are all forms of cyber bullying. Cyberbullying can further lead to destroying a person\u2019s reputation online by releasing personal data. Or it could lead to more dangerous events.<\/p>\n<h4>3- Cryptojacking<\/h4>\n<p>The process where a hacker hijacks your device to mine cryptocurrency without your consent is known as cryptojacking. They normally gain access to your device once you visit an already infected or malicious website or download a malicious program.<\/p>\n<h4>4- Cyberespionage<\/h4>\n<p>Many hackers are indeed state-sponsored groups which are then used to hijack or compromise classified state intelligence. It\u2019s a dirty move used commonly in global politics, many states hire such groups to use them as a weapon against their opponents.<\/p>\n<h4>5- Identity Theft<\/h4>\n<p>To gather enough information about the victim, an identity thief uses several methods such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pharming:<\/strong> It is when a criminal unknowingly reroutes the user to a fake version of the website and asks for their details or credentials. For example, you could be wanting to open your bank\u2019s login page, and the website could easily be duplicated into a fake version of the same website. It would then request you to enter your details, and instead of logging you in, the <a href=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-to-do-if-your-phone-is-hacked\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hacker<\/a> will get a hold of your credentials.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Phishing: <\/strong>It is kind of a spam email that tricks you into downloading or accessing a malicious link. Phishing emails try to create a sense of urgency and try to lure in the user and then ask for private information such as credentials.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sniffing:<\/strong> It is commonly practiced on public Wi-Fi or unprotected networks, where it is easier to track a user\u2019s internet activity and be able to record or monitor whatever the user is browsing while connected to the public network.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Keylogging: <\/strong>This malicious software records everything that a user types on its device, allowing the hacker to easily find out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to Prevent Cybercrime<\/h3>\n<p>Now that you are aware of the several types and modifications in cybercrime, you must also learn the methods that should be adopted to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. We\u2019ve made a list of a few preventive measures that you should be taking to stay safe:<\/p>\n<h4>1- Download an anti-virus<\/h4>\n<p>Anti-virus is essential while you are setting up your system; it helps you detect if anything suspicious is going on in your computer or on the website you\u2019re currently viewing. Moreover, it will protect you from any uninvited malware while also keeping away any other sorts of malicious activities.<\/p>\n<h4>2- Don\u2019t open spam emails or click random links<\/h4>\n<p>It is a rather obvious solution; one should refrain from opening any spam emails or suspicious links. If it seems too good to be true, then the chances are that a cybercriminal is trying to lure you into its trap. So don\u2019t open any links or emails without complete verification.<\/p>\n<h4>3- Download a VPN<\/h4>\n<p>A very easy and effective way to avoid attempts of sniffing is through using a <a href=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-a-vpn\/\">VPN<\/a>. Free VPNs offer little to no protection in reality. FastestVPN offers you complete privacy and security for just $10 a month. It will mask your identity and encrypt your data while you browse the web freely without having to worry about cyber criminals monitoring your internet activity.<\/p>\n<h4>4- Update your software<\/h4>\n<p>The most important thing that we don\u2019t pay as much attention to is software updates. Older software versions are more vulnerable to hacking attacks and can easily be exploited, which is why it is always wise to keep your devices up to date.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>With cybercrime and technology on the rise, we need to be wary and look out for one another. It is important to educate ourselves and the people around us so that we can prevent ourselves from falling victim to these crimes.<\/p>\n<p>Follow all the steps provided and subscribe to FastestVPN to maintain anonymity while browsing online.<\/p>\n <div class=\"fastest-hd-cta\">\n <h3>Take Control of Your Privacy Today! \n <span>Unblock websites, access streaming platforms, and bypass ISP monitoring.<\/span>\n <\/h3>\n <a class=\"hd-conter-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/lifetime-special-deals?a_aid=634829be4d0b2\" title=\"Get FastestVPN\">Get FastestVPN <i class=\"fa fa-hand-o-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With technology advancing and the dependence on the internet increasing by the day, users have considerably vulnerable to certain criminal activities. In other words, the web is being widely misused by some users for all sorts of reasons. Have you ever experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior or activities over the web? Something that probably feels [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":11888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<title>What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN&amp; secure your connection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN&amp; secure your connection.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Fastest Resources Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-07-20T08:00:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-21T11:39:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN&amp; secure your connection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/\",\"name\":\"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-07-20T08:00:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-21T11:39:52+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/2bc5619b8836e9394fe98d51f919a1f9\"},\"description\":\"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN& secure your connection.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What is Cybercrime?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/\",\"name\":\"Fastest Resources Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/2bc5619b8836e9394fe98d51f919a1f9\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/eef1d615408428f84f63535211fda790?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/eef1d615408428f84f63535211fda790?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"}}]}<\/script>\n","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It","description":"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN& secure your connection.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It","og_description":"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN& secure your connection.","og_url":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/","og_site_name":"Fastest Resources Blog","article_published_time":"2020-07-20T08:00:19+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-05-21T11:39:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It","twitter_description":"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN& secure your connection.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/07\/What-is-cybercrime-f.png","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/","url":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/","name":"What Is Cybercrime and How Can You Protect Yourself From It","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#website"},"datePublished":"2020-07-20T08:00:19+00:00","dateModified":"2025-05-21T11:39:52+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/2bc5619b8836e9394fe98d51f919a1f9"},"description":"Online activities and dataarevulnerable to hacking, spamming, identity theft. All of which fall under the umbrella of cybercrime. Connect to FastestVPN& secure your connection.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/what-is-cybercrime\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What is Cybercrime?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#website","url":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/","name":"Fastest Resources Blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/2bc5619b8836e9394fe98d51f919a1f9","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/eef1d615408428f84f63535211fda790?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/eef1d615408428f84f63535211fda790?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"}}]}},"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11872"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11872"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39667,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11872\/revisions\/39667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fastestvpn.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}