cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm 
plural cybercrimes
: criminal activity (such as fraud, theft, or distribution of child pornography) committed using a computer especially to illegally access, transmit, or manipulate data
The growing number of mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, and the popularity of social networks give them new avenues in which to expand their cybercrime.—
Eric Geier
Eric GeierCybercrime is taking a bottom-line toll on the corporate workplace. Last year, losses exceeded $100 million—and that figure continues to skyrocket as security breaches pose an increasing threat to U.S. corporations, banks, and even the government.—Beth Wilson
Beth Wilson
also
: an instance of such activity
The increasing prevalence of cloud computing … has made storing and accessing important electronic data easier and less expensive than ever. However, the expanding number of documents and other information being stored electronically has increased the threat of cybercrimes, including data breaches. —John Squitero
John Squitero
cybercriminal
ˈsī-bər-ˌkri-mə-nᵊl
noun
-ˈkrim-nəl
plural cybercriminals
More small businesses are falling victim to "ransomware," to which malicious code locks up computer files and cybercriminals demand a ransom to free them.
—Ruth Simon
Ruth Simon
Examples of cybercrime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The battle against cybercrime is ongoing, and a coordinated response among end users, financial institutions and cybersecurity professionals is essential to thwart these sophisticated attacks and safeguard digital assets in the coming years.
—Yaamini Barathi Mohan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
To end the stigma, warn others, and make cybercrime less isolating overall.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 15 May 2025
As the underground industry of crypto investment scams has grown into one of the world's most lucrative forms of cybercrime, the secondary market of money launderers for those scammers has grown to match it.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 13 May 2025
The danger lies more in amplifying the volume and reach of known forms of cybercrime than in the development of novel attacks.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cybercrime
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Yaamini Barathi Mohan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
To end the stigma, warn others, and make cybercrime less isolating overall.
—Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 15 May 2025
As the underground industry of crypto investment scams has grown into one of the world's most lucrative forms of cybercrime, the secondary market of money launderers for those scammers has grown to match it.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 13 May 2025
The danger lies more in amplifying the volume and reach of known forms of cybercrime than in the development of novel attacks.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cybercrime
Cite this Entry
“Cybercrime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cybercrime. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
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cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm
: crime (as theft, fraud, intellectual property violations, or distribution of child pornography) committed electronically
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