No doubts that the advent of technology has improved man and made life easier on many fronts. Let’s take steem and steemit for example, where we can recount multiple benefits derived from them so far. These benefits were made possible as a result of technology.
It’s no news that the world has gone digital and this in turn, has presented life and humanity with some negatives and challenges in the form of technology related crimes known as CyberCrimes.
According to Wikipédia:
Cybercrime, or computer oriented crime, is crime that involves a computer and a network.The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target.Cybercrimes can be defined as: "Offences that are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal motive to intentionally harm the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm, or loss, to the victim directly or indirectly, using modern telecommunication networks such as Internet (networks including but not limited to Chat rooms, emails, notice boards and groups) and mobile phones (Bluetooth/SMS/MMS)".Cybercrime may threaten a person or a nation's security and financial health.
In recent times, cybercrimes rate have become alarming. In some cases,the effects are extreme on the victims as they lose their lives.
As subtle as human’s illegal or bad activities may seem on the computer or Internet,it is always harmful to a person or persons.
On steemit for instance, are there activities by people that can be regarded as cybercrime?
I remember subscribing to an upvote group and transferred some cents for my post to be upvoted to the value paid.
Shortly after my transfer,I got a memo notifying me that my post couldn't be upvoted and directed me to their discord to find out the reason for this.
To shorten the gist,I did as directed and I never got a refund to that effect despite their promises and my efforts.My sbd gone!
Perhaps people have lost relatively bigger amounts to this kind of deal and this could possibly make such victims sceptical about other better opportunities on the community.
Indeed, the ambiguity of cybercrime can not be overemphasized but highlighting on few of them would remind us how life can be better if they are checked.
Scams,Hacks, Identity theft etc
This is a big picture of cybercrime as people round the world send false Mails or notifications to unsuspecting individuals, just to defraud them of their hard earned money or other valuables.
In Nigeria, there is a common scam sms to random numbers by scammers, requesting bank verification numbers(BVN) and ATM card details from people in order to help them unblock their accounts.
Unfortunately, people respond to these messages as they siphon the cash in their accounts. While some have fallen for this, others are still falling for it but the awareness is growing by the day, through banks sensitization and people's experiences which will totally curb this crime.
Identity theft is witnessed in different forms all over the world. people get access to other people's personal information or have them duplicated to gain access to their investments or projects.
Issues like this come up time and time again on social media where people complain about their accounts being hacked into.
Cyberbullying
Wikipédia said:
Cyberbullying or cyberharassment is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyberbullying and Cyberharassment are also known as online bullying.
This is another life threatening issue. People get depressed, scared or lose their lives from this.
Often times, typified with blackmails for what someone did or didn't do that the blackmailer leverages on to threaten victims.
We have seen, read or heard about people’s private life, information or images being posted on the internet (like nude pictures and sex tapes).
However, in whatever degree that cybercrime is being carried out, it should be noted that it endangers human lives and it is totally unacceptable. Thus, let’s endeavour to make the world better and more accommodating by discouraging cybercrime today.