Open In App

Difference Between Conventional Crime and Cybercrime

Improve
Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save Article
Save
Share
Report issue
Report

Pre-requisites: Cybercrime, Cybercrime Causes, And Measures To Prevent It

Crime generally refers to an illegal act that’s punishable by law and regulation. According to Merriam-Webster, wordbook crime is described as “an act or the commission of an act that’s interdicted or the elision of a duty that’s commanded by a public law and that makes the lawbreaker liable to discipline by that law; especially a gross violation of the law.” The general description of crime is “a crime is an act that violates a legal status or regulation made by governing bodies and carries the eventuality for discipline”. 

Crimes committed can be discerned from Conventional Crimes and Cybercrimes   

  • Conventional Crime: Conventional crime refers to traditionally honored felonious conditioning which is illegal and punishable by law. It includes a wide range of crimes similar to theft, thievery, and medicine-related crimes.  
  • Cyber Crime: Cybercrime refers to felonious conditioning that is committed using computers or connected computer technologies, an ultramodern way of committing crimes that are fairly easy to commit. Cybercriminals use colorful tactics, similar to hacking, phishing, malware, or ransomware, to pierce, steal, or damage sensitive information, disrupt digital systems, or wring plutocrats from victims.  

They differ in several ways, including the styles used to commit the crime, the duration of discovery, and the types of victims targeted. 

Difference between Conventional Crime and Cybercrime

Basis Cybercrime Conventional crime
Methods used to commit the crime These crimes basically involve the use of computers, the internet, or other digital devices to commit a crime. Examples of cybercrimes include malware attacks, identity theft, and online fraud.  Conventional crime typically involves physical force or the threat of physical force to commit the crime. Examples of conventional crimes include theft, assault, and burglary.
Duration of detection Remain undetected for a long period as there is no physical presence and no on-ground evidence. Get detected immediately because it leaves physical traces of the crime.
Types of victims targeted Cybercrime targets online interconnected systems, digital assets, and sensitive personal information or health information. Conventional crime tends to target individuals or physical assets such as offices, relatives, and homes.
Scale of crime

Cybercrimes are committed on a large scale because in such a crime physical proximity to the victim is not required.

e.g.- A single computer can hack thousands of bank websites. and loot them at a single instance.

on a limited scale as conventional crime comes in physical proximity to the victim.

e.g.- A robber can rob one or two banks in a single day only.

Types of Consequences Victims of cybercrime experience damage to their digital reputation or loss of sensitive personal information that can be used for identity theft. Conventional crime can have physical, emotional, and financial consequences for victims.
Examples Spamming, Phishing, Hacking, Cyberbullying, Cyberstalking, Malware, and many more. Murder, Extortion, Bullying, and many more.

Last Updated : 24 Feb, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads