Top 5 Internet Crimes

Did you know that cybercrime can be a federal offense? There is a whole FBI top five list for online offenders, and NYC federal crime lawyers have seen more than their fair share of cases involving internet banditos. What crimes rank as some of the most prominent? Today we’ll look at some of the most serious cyber offenses, the ones that the FBI themselves have made key priorities.

Intellectual Property Theft

Though it might not be the first thing you think of when pondering online crimes, experts like Myers & Tsigler, trademark attorneys in Orange County, make it clear that intellectual property theft is a form of criminality that is alive and well on the internet. 

Most often, the IPs involved in cyber crime are copyrighted material and trade secrets. There are vast quantities of software, music, and similar materials that fall into the hands of internet pirates every year, costing the economy billions of dollars.

Computer Network Intrusions

Online attacks can take down some of the nation’s most vital systems — such as hospitals, banks, 911 dispatch, and the like. Such criminals also have a penchant for going after private businesses, and, in many cases, stealing the personal details of clients (which are later leaked or sold on black markets).

In more serious cases, the network intrusions are the work of foreign operators, making attempts to steal information that is vital to national security or launch cyber strikes to weaken the nation.

Ransomware Attacks

In some instances, computer attacks on organizations will take the form of ransomware, a type of malware that blocks access to critical files, then demands that a ransom be paid to release them. 

It’s quite obvious what catastrophic effects this can have on large institutions, and how those might ripple out to society at large in a dire scenario.

Identity Theft

It’s an increasingly prevalent crime, and involves unlawfully obtaining the personal information of another individual with the intent to commit theft or fraud. 

In 2018, about 14.4 million individuals fell victim to identity fraud, and the spread of this pernicious act has led some to go as far as protecting themselves (and their identities) with identity theft insurance policies and monitoring services.

Cyberstalking

Some individuals use the internet, social media, and email, to stalk others in a manner similar to real world stalking. Just as with real world stalking, there are threats and harassing behavior committed toward the victim, and in some cases this online behavior spills out into the real world.