Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of criminology?
What is the primary focus of criminology?
Which factor is NOT part of Routine Activity Theory?
Which factor is NOT part of Routine Activity Theory?
Which theory emphasizes the role of the environment in criminal activity?
Which theory emphasizes the role of the environment in criminal activity?
What do criminologists primarily seek to understand?
What do criminologists primarily seek to understand?
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In the context of cybercrime, who could be considered a motivated offender?
In the context of cybercrime, who could be considered a motivated offender?
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What constitutes a suitable target in the cyber realm?
What constitutes a suitable target in the cyber realm?
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Which factor AFFECTS the absence of a capable guardian in cybersecurity?
Which factor AFFECTS the absence of a capable guardian in cybersecurity?
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In Social Learning Theory, what is required for someone to replicate learned behavior?
In Social Learning Theory, what is required for someone to replicate learned behavior?
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What aspect of Social Learning Theory involves storing information for future use?
What aspect of Social Learning Theory involves storing information for future use?
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Why might someone feel motivated to commit cybercrime according to the Social Learning Theory?
Why might someone feel motivated to commit cybercrime according to the Social Learning Theory?
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What motivates individuals to engage in cyber attacks?
What motivates individuals to engage in cyber attacks?
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How does Victim Participation Theory describe active participation?
How does Victim Participation Theory describe active participation?
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What is a characteristic of passive participation according to Victim Participation Theory?
What is a characteristic of passive participation according to Victim Participation Theory?
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Which demographic is noted as more likely among cybercriminals compared to traditional offenders?
Which demographic is noted as more likely among cybercriminals compared to traditional offenders?
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What can contribute to a user's victimization in the context of cybersecurity?
What can contribute to a user's victimization in the context of cybersecurity?
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What is one of the primary limitations in addressing cybercrime?
What is one of the primary limitations in addressing cybercrime?
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Cyber harassment is defined as behavior that is intended to achieve which of the following?
Cyber harassment is defined as behavior that is intended to achieve which of the following?
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Which of the following acts falls under the category of cyberbullying?
Which of the following acts falls under the category of cyberbullying?
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Which of the following best describes cybercriminals' actions in cyberspace?
Which of the following best describes cybercriminals' actions in cyberspace?
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Which of the following is NOT a category of cyber harassment?
Which of the following is NOT a category of cyber harassment?
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Study Notes
Criminology
- Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system
- It analyzes the causes, prevention, and control of criminal activity
- It examines social, psychological, and economic factors contributing to criminal behavior
- It explores the impact of crime on victims and society
- Criminology assesses the effectiveness of laws and law enforcement
- It analyzes the functioning of penal and correctional systems
- Criminologists use various theories and research methods
Applying Criminological Theories on Cyber Crimes
- Criminology Theory is a set of ideas and principles explaining criminal behavior, criminal justice systems, and social responses to crime
- These theories help criminologists understand crime causation, crime prevention, and social responses to crime
- Examples of criminological theories include routine activity theory, social learning theory, and victim participation theory
Routine Activity Theory
- Routine Activity Theory is explained by the intersection of three factors
- Motivated offenders
- Availability of suitable targets or victims
- Absence of capable guardians
- This theory is used to understand the relationship between criminals and victims
- It explains contemporary criminal behavior
Example of Routine Activity Theory
- Motivated offenders in cybercrime include hackers, cybercriminals, and malicious insiders
- Suitable targets include individuals or organizations with valuable data, weak security practices, or vulnerable systems (e.g., unpatched software, weak passwords)
- Absence of a capable guardian could be the lack of robust cybersecurity measures, like firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and security awareness training
- Phishing attacks are an example where a lack of security practices (absence of a capable guardian) allows a motivated offender to easily exploit a suitable target
- The theory explains causation across several categories of crime effectively
Social Learning Theory
- Social Learning Theory combines concepts from cognitive and behavioral learning
- This theory suggests that learning is influenced by psychological factors, and behavioral learning is based on environmental stimuli responses
- For this theory to apply, these four key requirements are necessary:
- Observation (environmental)
- Retention (cognitive)
- Reproduction (cognitive)
- Motivation
Example of Social Learning Theory
- Cybercriminals learn by observing others in online environments such as hacking forums, dark web marketplaces, or social media platforms
- They retain information about techniques and strategies for committing cybercrimes
- They reproduce the observed behaviors, requiring practice and refinement
- Motivation plays a key role in whether they commit a cybercrime, driven by factors like financial gain, hacker recognition, or ideological reasons
Victim Participation Theory
- This theory suggests that some victims make themselves targets of crime by acting in confrontational or risky ways (active participation) or by simply being present in risky locations (passive participation)
- Provoking behavior, threats, or attacks may unwittingly motivate the attacker
- Victims may display traits or attributes that unconsciously motivate attacks
Example of Victim Participation Theory
- Active Participation occurs when a victim unintentionally facilitates cybercrimes, like clicking on a malicious link, downloading an unverified attachment, or neglecting basic cybersecurity practices
- Passive participation occurs when a victim's actions make them more vulnerable, such as sharing excessive personal information or neglecting updates and security warnings
- Sharing personal information on social media could make someone a target for social engineering attacks, like phishing. The combined effects of both actions, active sharing and neglecting privacy settings, contribute to victimization
Cybercrimes vs. Traditional Crimes
- Some studies suggest that cybercrime offenders share the same demographics as traditional offenders (e.g., more likely men)
- There are limitations in using cybercriminology due to limited evidence about the extent, role, and nature of criminal actors in cyberspace
- Cybercrime often represents the migration of traditional crime into cyberspace, with cybercriminals using technology for old crimes in new ways
Cyber Harassment
- The use of digital technology is integral to modern life, but misuse (e.g., cybercrime) is an important aspect of it
- Cyber harassment is a common phenomenon in cyberspace, repeatedly, unsolicitedly targeting individuals through cyberspace to intimidate, humiliate, threaten, harass, or stalk someone.
- Any harassment through electronic media has the same impact as traditional forms of harassment
Categories of Cyber Harassment
- Cyberbullying
- Cyber teasing
- Cyberstalking
Cyberbullying
- Cyberbullying involves sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, or demeaning content about others online
- Sharing personal or private information that embarrasses or humiliates others also falls under cyberbullying
- This occurs through digital devices (e.g., cell phones, computers, tablets) via services like SMS, text messaging, apps, social media, online forums, and gaming platforms
Examples of Cyberbullying
- Posting nasty or humiliating content or comments online
- Publishing embarrassing or demeaning photos or videos
- Creating fake profiles of others
- Online threats to harm oneself or others
- Triggering religious, racial, regional, ethnic, or political issues through hate comments or content
- Using the identity of others to ask for or post personal or false information online
- Repeatedly targeting a player in games through harmful actions
- Posting stories, pictures, jokes, cartoons intended to embarrass or humiliate others
Motives Behind Cyberbullying
- Gaining popularity and influence within a social group
- Taking revenge
- Pure entertainment
- Isolating victims
Cyber Teasing
- Cyber teasing is an attitude or pattern of behavior construed as insults and humiliation towards a victim.
- It's often the harassment of strangers, particularly women, in public places, streets, and public transport
- Cyber teasing becomes a crime when committed through ICT
Examples of Cyber Teasing
- Sending, sharing, posting offensive, defamatory, embarrassing, harmful, or false messages via social media, SMS, instant messaging, or email
Motives Behind Cyber Teasing
- Seeking attention
- Exacerbating feelings of shame and humiliation
- Taking revenge
Cyberstalking
- Cyberstalking involves using ICT to stalk, control, manipulate, or habitually threaten a minor, an adult, or a business group.
- It involves implied threats of physical harm, habitual surveillance, and gathering information to manipulate and control a target
- Cyberstalking is both an online tactic and a typology of psychopathological ICT users.
Examples of Cyberstalking
- Leaving harassing or threatening messages
- Sending inappropriate greeting cards
- Creating websites/profiles containing threats
- Hate speech
- Using another person's identity online to harm their reputation
- Monitoring the victim's movements using GPS, tracking apps, or spyware
- Ordering goods/services in the victim's name
Motives Behind Cyberstalking
- Jealousy
- Obsession and attraction
- Erotomania
- Taking revenge
- Hatred
Means of Cyber Harassment
- Social media
- Websites
- Instant messages
- Web-based SMS
- MMS
- Online games
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Description
This quiz explores key concepts in criminology and cybercrime, including Routine Activity Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Victim Participation Theory. Test your understanding of the factors influencing criminal behavior and the role of the environment in crime. Dive into the motivations behind cybercrime and how they relate to traditional criminological theories.
