Cybercrime refers to illegal activities carried out through computers, the internet, and other digital platforms. These crimes include attacks on computer systems, databases, networks, or digital data. Cybercrimes often manifest in various forms, such as data theft, digital fraud, identity theft, computer viruses, and malware. The word "cyber" originates from the Greek term "kybernetes" (governance) and encompasses processes related to the management of digital systems. "Crime," on the other hand, is a Turkish word that denotes an illegal act.

Cybercrimes have gained increasing importance, particularly with the widespread use of the internet and the rise of digitalization. These crimes occur in different areas, including financial fraud, data leaks, cyberattacks against government institutions, and corporate espionage. This situation has made cybersecurity measures, which are essential for protecting digital platforms, even more critical.

Cybersecurity refers to the set of measures taken to protect digital systems and infrastructures—such as computers, networks, servers, and mobile devices—from malicious attacks, ensuring data confidentiality and network continuity. On the other hand, the term cyberattack describes illegal actions carried out by malicious individuals or groups on digital platforms. These attacks can be carried out using various techniques such as viruses, worms, ransomware, and DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks, with the aim of damaging systems, stealing data, disrupting services, or manipulating systems.

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Cybercrime and Its Types

Cybercrime refers to crimes committed in digital environments, typically involving computers, the internet, networks, and technological devices. With the rapid advancement of modern technology, these types of crimes have become an increasing threat. Cybercrimes can occur in many different forms, each of which can have severe consequences for both individuals and societies. The most common types of cybercrimes are as follows:

Hacking (Computer Intrusion)

Hacking is the act of gaining unauthorized access to computer systems. This crime is usually carried out by exploiting network security vulnerabilities. Hackers can steal corporate data, access personal information, or damage systems. Hacking is a crime associated with unlawful information acquisition and data manipulation.

Identity Theft

Identity theft involves stealing an individual’s identity information and using it for financial gain. Cybercriminals typically collect personal data through emails, fake websites, or malware. Identity theft can cause victims significant financial and emotional harm.

Phishing (Scam Attacks)

Phishing is a type of fraud aimed at deceiving internet users into revealing personal information. Criminals often use fake emails or websites to trick users into entering their credentials. The stolen information may include passwords, bank account details, and credit card numbers. Phishing attacks can cause significant damage, especially in sectors such as e-commerce and banking.

Malware (Malicious Software)

Malware refers to malicious software designed to harm computer systems, steal information, or gain unauthorized access. Examples of malware include viruses, trojans, worms, and ransomware. These types of software can disrupt device functionality or accelerate the spread of other malware.

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts a computer system or files and demands a ransom for their release. Unless the ransom is paid, the data usually becomes irretrievable. These crimes pose a significant threat, particularly to corporations and large enterprises.

Social Engineering Attacks

Social engineering is a crime that involves manipulating people to steal security information. These attacks are usually conducted via email, phone calls, or social media. Criminals attempt to persuade their targets into revealing sensitive information. Such attacks often serve as a precursor to hacking and identity theft.

DDoS Attacks (Distributed Denial-of-Service)

DDoS attacks involve sending a large number of data requests to a target, temporarily disabling internet services or websites. These attacks are often carried out for political or commercial reasons and can lead to large-scale service disruptions.

In conclusion, the rise of digitalization and internet usage has led to an increase in cybercrimes, making cybersecurity measures more important and necessitating the development of more effective strategies to combat cyberattacks. However, successfully preventing such crimes requires increasing public awareness of technology, strengthening legal regulations, and enhancing international cooperation.