cybercrime

or cy·ber crime

[ sahy-ber-krahym ]

noun

1. criminal activity or a crime that involves the internet, a computer system, or computer technology:

   identity theft, phishing, and other kinds of cybercrime.

cybercrime

/ ˈsaɪbəˌkraɪm /

noun

1. the illegal use of computers and the internet
2. crime committed by means of computers or the internet

Derived Forms

• ˌcyberˈcriminal, noun

Other Words From

• cy·ber·crim·i·nal [sahy, -ber-krim-, uh, -nl], noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cybercrime¹

First recorded in 1990–95; cyber- none + crime none

Example Sentences

With the rise of ransomware attacks and cybercrime in the headlines week after week, fighting cybercriminals takes a multi-faceted approach that’s not just the realm of the CTO, but of every business leader.

From MIT Technology Review

In 2020 alone, the total known cost of cybercrime was over $1 trillion in global losses, more than double the costs in 2018.

From Time

The ransomware crew known as REvil has existed for years in the booming cybercrime underground.

From MIT Technology Review

That’s where the agents had started trying to understand a cybercrime explosion that was targeting Americans and pulling in millions of dollars from victims.

From MIT Technology Review

As ransomware and cybercrime increasingly becomes a national security threat—and one that risks harming human beings, as in the case of attacks against hospitals—it’s become clear that government action is required.

From MIT Technology Review

Foreign governments and organized cybercrime gangs that sell stolen accounts and credit cards in bulk are also possible culprits.

From The Daily Beast

The cybercrime organization can access virtually ‘unlimited’ proceeds.

From The Daily Beast

“In the place of guns and masks, this cybercrime organization used laptops and the Internet,” Lynch elaborated.

From The Daily Beast