Internet Victimization

The Internet has become a virtual playground for criminals. It not only provides new opportunities to commit old crimes but has also led to the creation of new crimes. While some of these criminal behaviors are generic (e.g., hosting or distribution of illicit material, breaches of intellectual property), others target a specific victim. Victimization comes in many forms and can be defined in a number of ways. Researchers debate what constitutes victimization, which behaviors are criminal, and whether crimes and behaviors are distinct or overlapping. Although victimization can be specific, such as those that target children, this entry treats this topic from a general standpoint, focusing on crimes that relate to all victims. Most common among these are malware, fraud, cyberstalking/cyberbullying, and revenge pornography. Each ...