The criminal justice system applies to cybercrime just as it does any other crime. There are laws and statutes in place governing cyber behaviors just as there are for behaviors in life. Just like in the physical world, fraud, stalking, harassment, theft, and other malicious activities are often illegal. It might take a slightly different form than the physical world, however. For example, theft online could be downloading a copy of a song that you didn’t actually purchase while in the physical world, you would have to put the CD in your pocket and walk out of the store. Two different acts, one in the cyber world and one in the physical world, but both are theft.

 Psychological principles of what makes a criminal and what makes a victim also apply to the cyber world just as in the physical world.  Some behaviors and personalities are more likely to produce cyber criminals while others are more likely to produce cyber victims. Just as there are things you can do in the physical world to prevent becoming the victim of a crime, there are things you can do online as well. You can use strong passwords, only visit safe sites, only use secure Wi-Fi, only engage with people online that you personally know and trust, don’t click on risky links that you don’t know what they are for or whom they came from, keep your software updated, and, in general, don’t participate in risky online behaviors. These things can help prevent you from becoming the victim of cybercrime.

The criminal justice system has had trouble keeping laws updated as technology and the cyber world changes so quickly. Additionally, it can be hard to enforce the law and punish the criminal when cybercrimes do occur. This can be for several reasons, but often because it goes unreported. People may feel embarrassed about becoming a victim, not know who to report the crime to, not realize they have become the victim of a cybercrime, or think that no one can actually help them or enforce restitution. There is also a problem with jurisdiction when considering cybercrime because it can occur from anywhere.

Cybercrime is a growing problem as people spend more and more time online. The laws need to keep up-to-date concerning these threats. People also need to know how to protect themselves and know who to go to for help if a cybercrime ultimately does occur.