What are the Most Common Types of Cybercrime

Cybercrime incidence is rising with many individuals and organizations falling victim. Cybercrime is broadly defined as Criminal activities that take place in Cyberspace. The anonymity and monetary rewards hackers obtain via the internet are helping to fuel an epidemic of cyberattacks.

New ways are constantly being developed by hackers to infiltrate businesses and steal sensitive information such as bank details and passwords and money. Sadly, the cost of cybercrime is expected to hit $6 trillion dollars in 2021.

Below we look at the most common cybercrimes today:

1. Malware Infection
The use of malware in compromising victims’ systems and devices is one of the most popular cyber-criminal actions out there. Malware has the additional advantage of giving hackers persistent access to victims’ devices.

Malware includes Trojans, viruses, and spyware deployed by cybercriminals to monitor users’ activity. They can also be used to steal personal information and even corrupt a system.

An aggressive type of malware known as ransomware is now a favorite tool for cybercriminals. It is used to lock down organizations’ computers and networks by encrypting important data and applications thereby disrupting the target’s business operations. The systems are only unlocked after a ransom payment by the victim.

2. Phishing
Phishing attacks involve the use of emails, malicious websites, SMS, and phone calls to solicit sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals or businesses. It usually involves hackers posing as a trustworthy entity such as a colleague, or business partner.

An innocent looking email from a friend or colleague may be a phishing attempt to get hold of your personal information for further compromise.

The link included in an email claiming to come from your favorite bank or online shopping platform could be an attempt to get your login information by redirecting you to fake credential-harvesting pages controlled by the attacker.

This type of cybercrime often rely’s on social engineering which are psychological tricks used to elicit actions from target victims. It involves winning the trust of a target to get them to perform certain actions on behalf of attackers.

3. Hacking
Hacking involves gaining unauthorized access into an organization’s system, network or servers. It is done to extract data, hijack or disrupt a target’s system’s operation.
Hackers get into remote systems via vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

4. Identity Theft
Personal data obtained by cybercriminals can be weaponized for use in identity theft. With enough information about a target, a hacker can impersonate them and hijack their financial identity using social security numbers and others.

After stealing a victim’s identity, cybercriminals will request credit cards and loans on their behalf.

Access to consumers personally identifying information is made easier with the free sharing of information on social media and other platforms. Identity theft impacts victims on a long-term basis causing financial instability and making it difficult to open new accounts or request new loans.

5. Debit and Credit Card Fraud
Stolen credit or debit cards provide direct financial benefits to cybercriminals. They use these cards to shop online for various goods and services while the real card owner bears the cost.

The cards are usually obtained via phishing on fake websites or eCommerce store data leaks.

6. Distributed Denial-of-Service(DDoS)
DDoS is also a common cybercrime activity on the internet. It is used to temporarily disrupt the functions of servers, websites, and networks.

DDoS is achieved by overwhelming a remote system with massive amounts of traffic via a network of compromised computers known as botnets.
When a target is under a DDoS attack, legitimate users are unable to access its services.

DDoS attacks may be used by cybercriminals as a cover for another hack going on at the same time. It may also be launched by business rivals.

7. Data Breach and Leaks
There have been several data breaches and leaks in recent years which lead to the exposure of billions of personal information such as passwords and credit cards.

Data breaches are usually targeted at popular online stores, social media, and financial service companies. Stolen data may be sold on the dark web or directly leaked to the public.

8. Email and Social Media Hack
One of the preferred tactics of cybercriminals is hacking the email and social media accounts of victims.

This may be done through a fake password reset page or buying stolen credentials. Some users also forget to sign out from a shared device after using their personal email or social media accounts on it.

A compromised email and social media account can serve as a launchpad for further attacks such as identity theft and business email compromise.

How to Stay Safe from Cyber Crimes

  • Install anti-malware security software on your PC and other devices.
  • Don’t use your credit card in shady online stores.
  • Sign up for a credit monitoring service to get alerts about suspicious activity on your account.
  • Avoid password reuse and change your passwords regularly.
  • Create and enforce multi-factor authentication policy.
  • Educate employees on the dangers of phishing and other cyber attacks.
  • Avoid visiting suspicious websites.

Understanding cyber crimes can help protect your business from becoming the next victim of an attack. To ensure you are following security best practices, talk to an experienced MSP such as SDTEK.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.