Mobile Dependency

As our daily lives become more and more dependent on Internet-based tools and services, and as those platforms accumulate more of our most sensitive data, the demand grows for experts in the field of cybersecurity. The core functionality of cybersecurity involves protecting information and systems from major cyberthreats. These cyberthreats take many forms (e.g., application attacks, malware, ransomware, phishing, exploit kits). Unfortunately, cyber adversaries have learned to launch automated and sophisticated attacks using these tactics – at lower and lower costs. As a result, keeping pace with cybersecurity strategy and operations can be a challenge, particularly in government and enterprise networks where, in their most disruptive form, cyberthreats often take aim at secret, political, military or infrastructural assets of a nation, or its people

Our data is available for almost anyone to sift through due to this interconnectivity. This creates a negative stigma that the use of technology is dangerous because practically anyone can access one’s private information for a price. Technology continues to promise to ease our daily lives; however, there are dangers of using technology. One of the main dangers of using technology is the threat of cybercrimes.

Common internet users may be unaware of cybercrimes, let alone what to do if they fall victim of cyber-attacks. Many innocent individuals fall victim to cybercrimes around the world, especially since technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Cybercrimes are any crimes that cause harm to another individual using a computer and a network. Cybercrimes can occur by issues surrounding penetration of privacy and confidentiality. When privacy and confidential information is lost or interrupted by unlawfully individuals, it gives way to high profile crimes such as hacking, cyber terrorism, espionage, financial theft, copyright infringement, spamming, cyber warfare and many more crimes which occur across borders. Cybercrimes can happen to anyone once their information is breach by an unlawful user. (webopedia.com)

According to Norton, “over the last 18 months, an ominous change has swept across the internet. The threat landscape once dominated by the worms and viruses unleashed by irresponsible hackers is now ruled by a new breed of cybercriminals. Cybercrime is motivated by fraud, typified by the bogus emails sent by "phishers" that aim to steal personal information” (Cybercrime 2011) Cybercrimes are responsible for the success of their respective criminal assets and the downfall of many companies and personal entities (Norton, n.d.).

Cybercrimes create an overwhelming task for law enforcement bureaus since they are extremely technological crimes. Law enforcement organizations must have individuals trained in computer disciplines and computer forensics in order to accurately investigate computer crimes or cybercrimes that have been committed. Additionally, many states must modernize and generate legislation, which disallows cybercrimes and outlines suitable penalties for those crimes. Cybercrimes will likely become more frequent with the arrival of advance technologies. It is important that civilians, law officials, and other associates of the justice system are well-informed about cybercrimes in order to diminish the threats that they cause.