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
Still, the crackdown is expected to deal a significant blow to cybercrime.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024
Many in the region are concerned that social media platforms are causing addictive behavior, enabling bullying, gambling and facilitating cybercrimes.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024
One way is for private companies—Microsoft is currently the most active—to publish research about suspicious social-media content or cybercrimes that appear to be state-sponsored.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
For clarity, tax crimes include corporate fraud, public corruption, cybercrimes, international, general tax fraud, abusive tax schemes, employment tax, identity theft and refund fraud.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cybercrime 
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Michael Kan, PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024
Many in the region are concerned that social media platforms are causing addictive behavior, enabling bullying, gambling and facilitating cybercrimes.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 10 Sep. 2024
One way is for private companies—Microsoft is currently the most active—to publish research about suspicious social-media content or cybercrimes that appear to be state-sponsored.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
For clarity, tax crimes include corporate fraud, public corruption, cybercrimes, international, general tax fraud, abusive tax schemes, employment tax, identity theft and refund fraud.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cybercrime
Dictionary Entries Near cybercrime
Cite this Entry
“Cybercrime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cybercrime. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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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