Psychological Aspects of Cybercrime Prevention

Abstract

Cybercrime is any criminal activity using information devices and/or digital networks which exploit various information vulnerabilities, involving the criminal use of technologies, identity theft, data breaches, computer viruses, scams, and other malicious activities. A number of current publications demonstrate important psychological aspects that have become an integral part of cybercrime. The main goal of the research conducted is to determine the psychological mechanisms of cybercrime and use specific techniques to prevent it. The research was based on examining open Internet publications from experts and specialized companies. The study demonstrated that the basic psychological aspects of cybercrime are the primary motivations and psychological vulnerabilities of the victims. The first refers to the thirst for financial gain, the sense of power and control over victims, and ideological motivations. In their quest for illicit gains, cybercriminals typically target individuals and legal entities with valuable assets, using ransomware attacks, credit card theft, online banking fraud, large-scale money laundering operations, identity theft, phishing, and the creation of fraudulent websites. For some perpetrators, the feeling of power and control over their victims is important due to the anonymity offered by the online environment (which shields them from the fear of identification or retaliation) and the feeling of invincibility. Similarly, cyberbullying and online harassment can be used with the intention of hurting, humiliating or intimidating. Ideological motivations are related to political, extremist, or ethical hacking goals. In terms of victim vulnerability, we differentiate cybercrimes based on manipulation of human behavior, phishing attacks and deceptive techniques, exploiting cognitive biases, impulsiveness and the psychology of online addiction. This involves manipulative techniques with emotions such as fear, greed, curiosity, empathy, or excitement, as well as abuses based on trust and the building of false relationships. One of the solutions to the problems generated by cybercrime is the use of certain psychological techniques, which can be divided into three groups: deducing behavioral profile and risk assessment; undertaking awareness and education measures; carrying out psychological intervention and rehabilitation activities. UDC: 004.056:[343.451+343.971]; JEL: D91, G41, L86.