cybercrime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cybercrime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to criminal activities that involve computers or the internet, such as hacking, identity theft, or online fraud. Example: "The rise of cybercrime has led to increased security measures for online transactions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just off the top of my head: climate change, water shortages, species extinction, obesity, cybercrime, nuclear proliferation, conflict in the Middle East, unemployment and messed-up finances.

The Guardian

Last year a report published by an arm of Symantec, a security firm, estimated that cybercrime costs the world $113 billion a year; it put the number of victims at 378m.

The Economist

This will mostly be pursued by governments and vested interests banding together to enact multilateral treaties, which are difficult for national parliaments to scrutinise or change.The Hague convention and the cybercrime treaty are cases in point.

The Economist

"This hack looks like a multi-headed hydra and we may only be in the early days of it," explains Marc Goodman, a cybercrime expert.

The Economist

The biggest day-to-day threats faced by companies and government agencies come from crooks and spooks hoping to steal financial data and trade secrets, so this special report will focus mainly on cybercrime and cyber-espionage.

The Economist

Cyber-security, which involves protecting both data and people, is facing multiple threats, notably cybercrime and online industrial espionage, both of which are growing rapidly.

The Economist

And just as it would not have made sense to shut up the high street because it harboured some thieves and rogues, it would make no sense to combat cybercrime by stopping all internet commerce even assuming it could be done.

The Economist

Though cybercrime is a growing menace, reliable encryption remains the foundation on which the trillion-dollar edifice of e-commerce is built: without it, nobody would be able safely to make a payment online.

The Economist

China has so far failed to sign an international cybercrime convention.

The Economist

Forced technology transfer, intellectual-property theft and cybercrime have all reduced the allure of the Chinese market.Financial services have been a particular disappointment.

The Economist

But the nature of the internet makes tackling low-level, high-volume cybercrime difficult anywhere.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "cybercrime", be specific about the type of crime you are referring to. Terms like "phishing", "malware attacks", and "ransomware" offer more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cybercrime" as a catch-all term. Instead, identify the specific type of illegal activity, as the legal and technical ramifications differ greatly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cybercrime" functions as a noun, typically used as a subject or object to describe criminal activities that involve computers or the internet. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cybercrime" is a well-established term referring to criminal activities carried out using computers and networks. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. While the term is generally neutral, specifying the exact type of cybercrime (e.g., phishing, ransomware) enhances clarity. Common contexts include news, business, and formal discussions. Alternative phrases include "computer crime" and "online crime". Given the increasing prevalence of digital offenses, understanding and correctly using this term remains crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

computer crime

This alternative focuses specifically on crimes involving computers, omitting the broader network context.

online crime

This term emphasizes the internet aspect of the crime, rather than the technology involved.

digital crime

This alternative highlights the digital nature of the offense, encompassing a range of electronic devices.

e-crime

A shorter, more modern term for cybercrime, often used in informal contexts.

internet fraud

This phrase focuses specifically on fraudulent activities conducted online.

computer hacking

This alternative refers specifically to unauthorized access and manipulation of computer systems.

data breach

This phrase refers to incidents where sensitive information is accessed or disclosed without authorization.

identity theft

This alternative relates to the unauthorized use of someone else's personal information.

online scams

This term refers to deceptive schemes carried out over the internet.

network intrusion

This phrase describes unauthorized access to a computer network.

FAQs

What are some examples of cybercrimes?

Examples of cybercrimes include "phishing", "malware attacks", "identity theft", and "ransomware".

What can I say instead of "cybercrime"?

You can use alternatives like "computer crime", "online crime", or "digital crime", depending on the specific context.

Which organizations are fighting against cybercrime?

Organizations like Interpol and Europol have specialized units dedicated to combating cybercrime, such as Europol's European "Cybercrime Centre".

How does international law address cybercrime?

International efforts to combat cybercrime include treaties like the Council of Europe Convention on "Cybercrime", which aims to harmonize cybercrime laws and enhance international cooperation.