New cybercrimes: emerging digital threats

The digital age offers great opportunities for the development of communication, information, and business, as well as for improving our quality of life; but it has also created the perfect context for crime. Under the cover of the screen and the complexities of the web, thousands of cybercriminals have found their ideal niche to commit various misdeeds, such as: scams, data theft, illegal sales of different products or content, and the dissemination of fake news... although law enforcement is increasingly prepared to fight them, new types of cybercrime are emerging.

In this post, we want to alert you to the new types of cybercrimes that exist so you can continue enjoying the internet safely. 

What are the most common cybercrimes affecting users?

Just as technology evolves and creates increasingly reliable security measures, cybercrimes also develop new ways to overcome all kinds of barriers. More and more sophisticated methods are being developed, which users must be aware of to detect them in time and avoid falling into traps.

Below, we explain the most common types of internet crimes:

• Phishing: cybercriminals send fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate sources to trick people into providing confidential information such as passwords and credit card numbers.
• Ransomware: attackers encrypt a victim’s files and then demand a ransom to decrypt them. This can result in the loss of important data or significant costs for victims.
• Online fraud: includes scams in which criminals convince people to purchase non-existent products or services, or trick them into sharing financial information.
• Identity spoofing (or “pharming”): attackers redirect people to fake websites that appear legitimate in order to steal personal information such as usernames and passwords.
• Cyberbullying: includes harassment, intimidation, or defamation online, which can have serious psychological and social consequences for victims.
• Identity theft: criminals use stolen personal information to commit financial or other crimes in the victim’s name.
• Malware: includes viruses, trojans, and other malicious software that can damage computer systems, steal information, or allow attackers to take control of a device.
• Online investment scams: fraudsters offer false or misleading online investment opportunities to steal money from people seeking to make profits.
• Misuse of personal data: companies and organizations sometimes collect and use personal data inappropriately or expose it due to poor cybersecurity, which can lead to privacy breaches.
• Crimes related to social networks: this includes identity theft on social networks, cyberbullying through social media platforms, and the spread of harmful content.

New cybercrimes based on artificial intelligence

Users are increasingly aware of online risks and have better digital skills to combat them. We may no longer fall for obvious traps like responding to an unknown person asking for money in exchange for a fortune, but what if the cybercriminal hides behind a familiar face? What happens if reverse engineering algorithms manage to bypass the security measures protecting a company’s data files?

Among the new types of cybercrimes, we can highlight three:

Advanced engineering cyberattacks

These consist of creating fake social media profiles using AI to carry out what is known as “social engineering”, a set of persuasion techniques and methods used to achieve unethical goals.

Generation and online dissemination of fake content

This refers not only to fake news but to all types of high-quality, highly believable content such as videos, photos, and documents. It is mainly used in misleading political propaganda campaigns.

Reverse engineering attacks on artificial intelligence models

Cybercriminals can use reverse engineering techniques to analyze and exploit artificial intelligence models used in security systems, such as intrusion detection systems. AI can understand how these models work and find ways to evade detection, carrying out even more effective attacks.

Learn how to spot online scams!

Cyber scams have increased in recent years. According to data from the National Police, in 2021 there were 33,465 such crimes reported in the country, representing a 17% increase compared to 2020. With the rise of new social networks, e-commerce, and instant messaging, scams are becoming more frequent, so the question we must ask is: How can we detect them in time to avoid falling for them? Let’s find out!

To avoid becoming a victim of an online scam, it’s essential to stay alert and take precautions. First, always verify the authenticity of sources and websites before sharing personal or financial information, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and be wary of unsolicited emails. Always use strong passwords and change them regularly. In addition, try to keep your software and antivirus updated to protect your device against malware.

Above all, it’s very important to stay informed about new types of cybercrime so you’re not caught off guard. Awareness and caution are your best allies in the fight against online fraud.

Do you want to learn more about the new digital and technological framework, its latest updates, and the most disruptive changes? Keep reading the Educa.Pro blog with us!