Cybercrime

Refers to crimes committed by or against information technology. In most cases, the Internet is used for this purpose.

What does that mean in detail?

The field of cybercrime encompasses a wide range of crimes, including:

• Data theft, e.g. of usernames and passwords,
• identity theft and fraud, e.g. through CEO fraud,
• fraud attempts, e.g. through phishing,
• Network intrusions, e.g. into a company WLAN,
• Digital extortion by means of ransomware,
• Digital extortion by means of real or only supposedly existing digital data, often with embarrassing content,
• DOS and DDoS attacks on servers,
• Misuse of third-party digital devices, e.g. as part of a botnet or cryptojacking.

The Internet allows cybercriminals to operate worldwide. Typical targets of cybercriminals are computers, tablets, smartphones and smart, digital IoT devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, digital speakers and surveillance cameras

Cybercrime can be indiscriminate, such as spam emails or malvertising. Cybercrime can also be carried out in a very targeted manner. For example, in the context of an advanced persistent threat, social engineering or spear phishing.

In order to be able to assess the current situation of cybercrime, criminal charges are very important. They also contribute to the prosecution of criminals, to successful countermeasures and to protecting other computer users and companies from harm through concrete warnings.

Where do I come across this problem in my day-to-day work?

You will encounter it frequently. After all, many everyday measures serve to protect against cybercrime. Some examples are the passwords of your work computer and your user accounts, the PIN of your smartphone, the encryption protocol https on the Internet and also the encryption of your WLAN.

What can I do to improve my security?

Broadly speaking, increase your organization’s cybersecurity and reduce its cyber risk. This requires several interlocking measures. They range from complex unique passwords to up-to-date, securely stored backups. From a firewall to two-factor authentication. From virus scanners to raising awareness among employees.

In addition, report every crime in the field of cybercrime.

Learn more

• A comprehensive overview and many case studies are provided by the Federal Situation Report Cybercrime 2021 of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
• You can report cybercrime crimes (also anonymously) to the reporting office of the Alliance for Cyber Security in Germany.
• Information from the Lower Saxony police for filing a criminal complaint for cybercrime. Common questions are also answered here, such as how evidence is secured.