As technology advances, criminal activities also progress. This article discusses ten modern-day crimes that have emerged with the advent of new technology, which were not prevalent a decade ago. These crimes include ransomware attacks, deepfake scams, virtual currency frauds, cyberbullying, smishing, identity theft, business email compromise, DDoS attacks, sextortion, and SIM swapping. Each crime takes advantage of different technological advancements, such as AI, virtual currencies, and social media to commit crimes. Consequently, individuals and businesses must remain watchful of these cybercrimes and take appropriate measures to keep their online presence safe from these hazards.
10 Modern-Day Crimes That Didn’t Exist a Decade Ago
As technology advances, so do the methods of committing crimes. In this article, we will explore ten modern-day crimes that were not prevalent a decade ago. These crimes range from identity theft to deepfake scams and virtual currency frauds.
1. Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are a type of cyberattack that has recently emerged. They involve hackers taking control of computer systems and demanding payment in exchange for returning access to the system. These attacks have become more sophisticated over the years and have caused significant financial losses to businesses and individuals.
2. Deepfake Scams
The ability to use artificial intelligence to manipulate video and audio has led to the rise of deepfake scams. These scams involve creating fake videos and audio recordings of people saying or doing things they never actually did. Perpetrators of deepfake scams use these fake recordings to blackmail or extort money from targeted individuals.
3. Virtual Currency Fraud
The use of virtual currencies like Bitcoin has led to the rise of virtual currency frauds. These frauds involve selling fake or non-existent virtual currencies to unsuspecting people. Since virtual currencies are not governed by the same regulations as traditional currencies, it is more challenging to track and recover losses from virtual currency frauds.
4. Cyberbullying
The rise of social media has also led to the rise of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying involves using technology to harass or bully individuals through online means. This type of bullying can cause severe emotional distress, and in some cases, even lead to suicide.
5. Smishing
Smishing is a type of phishing scam that uses text messages instead of email. When a victim clicks on a link sent through a text message, it can install malware on their phone. This malware can steal sensitive information from the victim’s phone or turn it into a botnet that can be used to perpetrate further attacks.
6. Identity Theft
Identity theft has been around for decades, but the methods of committing it have become more sophisticated. With the rise of social media and online transactions, it has become easier for hackers to steal sensitive information and use it for fraudulent activities like opening credit accounts or taking out loans.
7. Business Email Compromise
Business email compromise (BEC) involves hackers infiltrating a company’s email system and using it to send fake payment requests to employees or vendors. These payments are then sent to the hacker’s account instead of the intended recipient, resulting in significant financial losses for the victim.
8. DDoS Attacks
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack involves flooding a computer system with overwhelming traffic or data, causing it to crash. These attacks have become more sophisticated over the years and are often used to disrupt critical infrastructure like banks, hospitals, and government agencies.
9. Sextortion
Sextortion is a type of cybercrime that involves threatening to release compromising or embarrassing material to the victim’s family, friends, or colleagues unless they pay the perpetrator. These crimes often involve sexual material obtained through social media or online dating sites.
10. SIM Swapping
SIM swapping is a type of identity theft that involves the hacker stealing the victim’s phone number and using it to gain access to sensitive information like banking or social media accounts. This is typically achieved by tricking the victim’s phone provider into transferring the phone number to the hacker’s device.
Conclusion
The rise of technology has led to the creation of new types of crimes that were not prevalent a decade ago. These crimes range from cyberbullying to virtual currency frauds and deepfake scams. To protect themselves from these crimes, individuals and businesses must stay vigilant and take steps to secure their online presence.