cybercrime

or cy·ber crime

[ sahy-ber-krahym ]

/ ˈsaɪ bərˌkraɪm /

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noun

criminal activity or a crime that involves the internet, a computer system, or computer technology: identity theft, phishing, and other kinds of cybercrime.

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Origin of cybercrime

First recorded in 1990–95; cyber- + crime

historical usage of cybercrime

See internet.

OTHER WORDS FROM cybercrime

cy·ber·crim·i·nal

[sahy-ber-krim-uh-nl], /ˈsaɪ bərˌkrɪm ə nl/, noun, adjective

Words nearby cybercrime

cyberattack, cyberbully, cyberbullying, cybercafé, cyberchondria, cybercrime, cyberculture, cyberhack, cybermob, Cyber Monday, cyber mosque

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use cybercrime in a sentence

With the rise of ransomware attacks and cybercrime in the headlines week after week, fighting cybercriminals takes a multi-faceted approach that’s not just the realm of the CTO, but of every business leader.
Build your strategic defense against cybercriminals|Caroline da Cunha|August 17, 2021|MIT Technology Review
In 2020 alone, the total known cost of cybercrime was over $1 trillion in global losses, more than double the costs in 2018.
How the U.S. Is Spearheading Efforts to Thwart Chinese Cybercrime|Ian Bremmer|July 23, 2021|Time
The ransomware crew known as REvil has existed for years in the booming cybercrime underground.
The world’s biggest ransomware gang just disappeared from the internet|Patrick Howell O'Neill|July 13, 2021|MIT Technology Review
That’s where the agents had started trying to understand a cybercrime explosion that was targeting Americans and pulling in millions of dollars from victims.
Inside the FBI, Russia, and Ukraine’s failed cybercrime investigation|Patrick Howell O'Neill|July 8, 2021|MIT Technology Review

As ransomware and cybercrime increasingly becomes a national security threat—and one that risks harming human beings, as in the case of attacks against hospitals—it’s become clear that government action is required.
Why the ransomware crisis suddenly feels so relentless|Patrick Howell O'Neill|June 3, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Foreign governments and organized cybercrime gangs that sell stolen accounts and credit cards in bulk are also possible culprits.
What the Heartbleed Security Hole Means for You|Joshua Kopstein|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The cybercrime organization can access virtually ‘unlimited’ proceeds.
The ATM Heist: How Did the ‘Casher’ Crew Do It?|Michael Daly|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“In the place of guns and masks, this cybercrime organization used laptops and the Internet,” Lynch elaborated.
The ATM Heist: How Did the ‘Casher’ Crew Do It?|Michael Daly|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for cybercrime

cybercrime

/ (ˈsaɪbəˌkraɪm) /

noun

the illegal use of computers and the internet

crime committed by means of computers or the internet

Derived forms of cybercrime

cybercriminal, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012