Computers can be also used to attack to commit real-world crimes (IPR violations, credit card frauds, EFT frauds, pornography, etc.) and even terrorism. Terrorists often use information technology to plan and execute their criminal activities. This then is referred to by the term cyberterrorism. The increase in international interaction and the widespread usage of IT has facilitated the growth of crime and terrorism. Because of the advanced communication technology people need not be in one country to organize such a crime. Hence terrorists and criminals can find security loopholes in the system and can function from unusual locales instead of their country of residence.
The majority of future international incidents, whether military or spy, will have a cyber dimension. Therefore, it is very timely to consider the evaluation of these attacks. At present, there are debates about the possibility of escalating incidents into an unsustainable war conflict, where death, destruction, personal injury or property damage may occur. The problem is that attributing actions to a particular state is almost impossible. It is difficult to recognize a particular attacker without precise cooperation of the state in whose territory the attacker is located.
The impact of cybercrime
The impacts of cybercrime can be devastating due to the high risk of data loss and financial impact.
For individuals
Data breaches, identity theft, problems with devices: cybercrime can have a big impact on individuals. You might find yourself dealing with suspicious charges on your credit card as a result of identity theft, a ransomware attack demanding hundreds or thousands in blackmail to release your files, or expensive fees in data or electricity from cryptojacking or botnets. The costs can be worse than monetary when cyberbullying, including sexual harassment, is plaguing you.
For businesses & governments
Businesses as well as healthcare organizations and governments can also suffer from sensitive data loss, huge financial burdens, and brand damage. The average ransomware attack against small and medium businesses in 2019 demanded $5,900 to unblock their files or systems. Far worse, the downtime during these attacks cost the affected businesses $141,000 on average. That’s to say nothing of ransomware attacks on governments, such as the one that caused Jackson County, Georgia to pay $400,000 to restore their IT systems and infrastructure.
Another term used in this context is cyberwar. Let’s look at these two terms in detail:
What is cyberterrorism?
What is cyberwar?
The concept of cybercrime is often confused with cyberterrorism. Cyberterrorism is always more severe than other behaviors that are carried out in or through cyberspace. NATO defines cyberterrorism as “cyberattack using or exploiting computer or communication networks to cause sufficient destruction or disruption to generate fear or to intimidate a society into an ideological goal”.
Cyberwar involves the use and targeting of computers and networks in war. It involves offensive and defensive operations about the threat of cyberattacks, espionage and sabotage. COLLINS, Sean (April 2012). “Stuxnet: the emergence of a new cyber weapon and its implications”. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 7 (1). Retrieved 6 June 2015. COLLINS, Sean (April 2012). “Stuxnet: the emergence of a new cyber weapon and its implications”. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 7 (1). Retrieved 6 June 2015. Cyberwar has been defined as “actions by a nation-state to penetrate another nation’s computers or networks to cause damage or disruption”.
Example
Cyberware, including network attack, has gained some additional importance since the 11th of September. This situation after the 11th of September attacks brought an intensive discussion about the use of information and communication technologies by terrorists. This discussion was facilitated by reports that the offenders used the Internet in their preparation of the attack. Although the attacks were not cyber-attacks, the Internet played a role in the preparation of the offence. In this context, different ways in which terrorist organizations use the Internet were discovered.
The majority of future international incidents, whether military or spy, will have a cyber dimension. Therefore, it is very timely to consider the evaluation of these attacks. At present, there are debates about the possibility of escalating incidents into an unsustainable war conflict, where death, destruction, personal injury or property damage may occur. The problem is that attributing actions to a particular state is almost impossible. It is difficult to recognize a particular attacker without precise cooperation of the state in whose territory the attacker is located.
The impact of cybercrime
The impacts of cybercrime can be devastating due to the high risk of data loss and financial impact.
For individuals
Data breaches, identity theft, problems with devices: cybercrime can have a big impact on individuals. You might find yourself dealing with suspicious charges on your credit card as a result of identity theft, a ransomware attack demanding hundreds or thousands in blackmail to release your files, or expensive fees in data or electricity from cryptojacking or botnets. The costs can be worse than monetary when cyberbullying, including sexual harassment, is plaguing you.
For businesses & governments
Businesses as well as healthcare organizations and governments can also suffer from sensitive data loss, huge financial burdens, and brand damage. The average ransomware attack against small and medium businesses in 2019 demanded $5,900 to unblock their files or systems. Far worse, the downtime during these attacks cost the affected businesses $141,000 on average. That’s to say nothing of ransomware attacks on governments, such as the one that caused Jackson County, Georgia to pay $400,000 to restore their IT systems and infrastructure.
Another term used in this context is cyberwar. Let’s look at these two terms in detail:
What is cyberterrorism?
What is cyberwar?
The concept of cybercrime is often confused with cyberterrorism. Cyberterrorism is always more severe than other behaviors that are carried out in or through cyberspace.
NATO defines cyberterrorism as “cyberattack using or exploiting computer or communication networks to cause sufficient destruction or disruption to generate fear or to intimidate a society into an ideological goal”.
Cyberwar involves the use and targeting of computers and networks in war. It involves offensive and defensive operations about the threat of cyberattacks, espionage and sabotage.
COLLINS, Sean (April 2012). “Stuxnet: the emergence of a new cyber weapon and its implications”. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 7 (1).
Retrieved 6 June 2015.
COLLINS, Sean (April 2012). “Stuxnet: the emergence of a new cyber weapon and its implications”. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. 7 (1).
Retrieved 6 June 2015.
Cyberwar has been defined as “actions by a nation-state to penetrate another nation’s computers or networks to cause damage or disruption”.
Example
Cyberware, including network attack, has gained some additional importance since the 11th of September.
This situation after the 11th of September attacks brought an intensive discussion about the use of information and communication technologies by terrorists. This discussion was facilitated by reports that the offenders used the Internet in their preparation of the attack. Although the attacks were not cyber-attacks, the Internet played a role in the preparation of the offence. In this context, different ways in which terrorist organizations use the Internet were discovered.
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