Classification Of Cyber Crimes

1. Cybercrime is defined as criminal activity by means of a computer/s or through a network. Computers may either be used in the crime itself or be the target.

The classifications of Cyber Crime are as follows:

Computer fraud – is a misrepresentation of information done so in order to allow one to cause a loss or to stop one from preventing a loss. This includes other forms of fraud that can be facilitated through the use of a computer as well as scams and other similar misdeeds.

Cyber terrorism – the use of computers, information technology and networks to commit acts of terrorism that cause widespread fear and disruption affecting a large body/community.

Cyber extortion – The hijacking of a computer system, done so to deny service or

There are various examples of network attacks, the following is a list of a few of the most common:

Eavesdropping (sniffing/snooping) – It the use of exploits to gain access to the data path of a communication and interpret the traffic therein, basically giving them ability to monitor the data passing through.

Data modification – Altering the data within a packet without the sender/receiver aware of the change. IP address spoofing – Otherwise known as identity spoofing, is the use of special programs to change the originating address of an IP packet and therefore allowing them to falsify the source of the data itself.

Password-based attacks – Is the use of common passwords and “brute force” to allow an intruder to masquerade themselves as the user and gain access to the users account.

Denial-of-service attack (DOS attack) – It is the use of a variety of methods to prevent a valid/authorized user from the using a computer system or network. A common type of such attacks are the Distributed DOS attacks (DDOS), this the paralysis of a computer network through simultaneous flooding from users (usually done through

3. Botnet – This is a network of private computers that, through the means of malicious and virulent software, to control the devices as a group in order to instigate attacks and other activities without the owner knowing of the actions.

Backdoor – This is a method of bypassing the normal authentication process of computer system in order to gain access to the machine.

Spoofing – A common type deceptive practice, done so to trick a system into believe that the perpetrator is user. The attacker’s goal is to masquerade themselves as the user and gain access to the information linked to the users account. Spoofing is most frequently associated with theft of personal information.

4. Hardware/Software theft and vandalism is a common problem brought upon by the increase of use of computer systems and I.T. technology. The following is a brief definition of what exactly hardware/software theft and vandalism