History of Cybercrime in Timeline

Cybercrime involves criminal activities using digital devices and networks, such as the Internet. Criminals exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, steal data, disrupt services, and inflict financial or reputational damage on individuals, organizations, and governments. It is defined as crime committed on a computer network.

1974: Privacy Act of 1974

In 1974 the first cyber related law in the United States was the Privacy Act of 1974, which required federal agencies to ensure privacy and protection of personally identifiable information (PII).

1995: Criminal Code Act of 1995 in Australia

In 1995, Australia's Criminal Code Act was passed, which included most forms of online harassment. Using telecommunication to send threats, harass, or cause offense is a direct violation of this act.

1997: Telecommunications Act 1997 in Australia

In Australia, legislation to combat cybercrime includes the Telecommunications Act in 1997.

2000: UN Congress Classifies Cyber Crimes

In 2000, the tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders classified cyber crimes into five categories: unauthorized access, damage to computer data or programs, sabotage to hinder the functioning of a computer system or network, unauthorized interception of data within a system or network, and computer espionage.

2001: Increase in Network Problems and Server Scams

In early 2001, government officials and IT security specialists documented a significant increase in network problems and server scams. Agencies such as the FBI and the CIA became increasingly concerned in the United States.

2007: Cyberattack on Estonia

In 2007, Estonia's infrastructure was attacked, allegedly by Russian hackers.

August 2008: Cyberattacks Against Georgia

In August 2008, Russia allegedly conducted cyberattacks against Georgia.

2008: Increase in Vulnerabilities

From 2008 to 2014 alone, there has been a 17.75% increase in vulnerabilities across all online devices.

2011: Silk Road Launches

In 2011, the dark web site Silk Road started operations as the first major online marketplace for drugs.

October 2013: FBI and Europol Shut Down Silk Road

In October 2013, the FBI and Europol permanently shut down the dark web site Silk Road.

2013: EU Cybercrime Directive

In 2013, the European Union adopted cybercrime directive 2013/40/EU, which was elaborated upon in the Council of Europe's Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

December 2014: Obama Signs Cybersecurity Bills

In December 2014, President Barack Obama signed three cybersecurity-related bills: the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, the National Cybersecurity Protection Act, and the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act. These acts focused on federal agency cybersecurity practices, information sharing, and cybersecurity research and education.

2014: Increase in Vulnerabilities

From 2008 to 2014 alone, there has been a 17.75% increase in vulnerabilities across all online devices.

2014: Sony Hack

In 2014, the Sony Hack served as an example of cyberextortion.

April 2015: Executive Order on Cybercriminals' Assets

In April 2015, President Barack Obama released an executive order allowing the US to freeze the assets of convicted cybercriminals and block their economic activity within the United States.

2015: Enhancing Online Safety Act 2015 in Australia

In Australia, legislation to combat cybercrime includes the Enhancing Online Safety Act in 2015.

2016: Ransomware-related deaths reported between 2016 and 2021

Between 2016 and 2021 ransomware caused the deaths of between 42 and 67 patients due to the treatment difficulties created.

May 2017: China's New Cybersecurity Law

On 31 May 2017, China announced that its new cybersecurity law was taking effect.

July 2017: FBI Seizes Alphabay

In July 2017, the FBI seized one of the biggest markets, commonly called Alphabay.

2017: Interpol's Cyber Fusion Center Collaboration

In 2017, Interpol's Cyber Fusion Center started collaborating with major cybersecurity players to share information about the latest online scams, cyber threats, and risks to internet users, distributing reports on various attacks to security agencies in over 150 countries.

2018: Cybersex Trafficking

In 2018, The Nth room case in South Korea occurred as an example of cybersex trafficking.

2018: Identification of Cybercrime Suspects

In 2018, despite significant investigative efforts, only 65 suspects who bought and sold illegal goods on some of the biggest markets were identified.

2018: Internet Crime Complaints and Losses

In 2018, the Internet Crime Complaint Center received 351,937 complaints of cybercrime, which led to $2.7 billion lost.

2018: NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act

In 2018, the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act was enacted, providing guidelines for small businesses to identify and address cybersecurity risks accurately.

2019: Vendor Sentenced to Prison

In 2019, a vendor was sentenced to 10 years in prison after selling cocaine and methamphetamine under the name JetSetLife.

2019: Wall Street Market Exit Scam

In 2019, the Wall Street Market allegedly exit scammed, stealing $30 million in bitcoin.

January 2020: Statistics on Online Harassment in the US

As of January 2020, 44 percent of adult internet users in the United States had "personally experienced online harassment".

2020: WEF Global Risks Report on Cybercrime

In 2020, the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report highlighted the increasing collaboration among organized cybercrime groups and estimated a less than 1 percent chance of detection and prosecution in the U.S. The report also raised privacy concerns related to the interception or disclosure of confidential information through cybercrime.

2020: Cybersex Trafficking

The 2018–2020 Nth room case in South Korea occurred as an example of cybersex trafficking.

August 2021: Alphabay Re-opens

In August 2021, Alphabay re-opened under the control of DeSnake, one of the original administrators.

2021: Impact of Online Harassment on Children

According to a 2021 survey, 41 percent of children develop social anxiety, 37 percent develop depression, and 26 percent have suicidal thoughts due to online harassment.

2021: Increase in Security Attacks

In 2021, security attacks increased by 31% compared to 2020, with the number of attacks per company rising from 206 to 270 according to Accenture's State of Cybersecurity.

2021: Rise in Ransomware Demands

In 2021, the average ransom demand in Norton cases was $2.2 million, a 144% increase, with an 85% rise in victims' personal data being leaked on the dark web. The total number of attempted attacks in automatic mode in 2021 amounted to more than 300 million attacks worldwide.

2022: Smartphone Addiction, Social Support, and Cybercrime Victimization Research

In 2022, research was conducted and published in Psychosocial Intervention regarding smartphone addiction, social support, and cybercrime victimization.

2022: Losses due to Ransomware Nearly $400 million

Losses in 2021 and 2022 are nearly $400 million according to Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report.

2023: GAO Report on Cybercrime Threats

A 2023 GAO report noted that the United States lacks coordination and sufficient resources to effectively counter growing cybercrime threats.

2023: Cybercrime Victims Peak

Comparitech's 2023 study showed that cybercrime victims have peaked to 71 million annually, which translates to a cyberattack every 39 seconds.

2023: Industrial Enterprises Targeted by Ransomware

In 2023, ransomware attacks targeting industrial enterprises increased by 15% , affecting critical infrastructure and services, causing severe losses.

2023: WEF Ranks Cybercrime as a Top Global Risk

In 2023, the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report ranked cybercrime as one of the top 10 risks facing the world both currently and for the next 10 years.

April 24, 2024: Cyber Crime Information

On April 24, 2024, information about cybercrime was retrieved from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

2024: Ransomware Attacks Surge Globally

In 2024, ransomware remains a global issue, impacting 153 countries with 5,263 major attacks, with a growing trend of targeting industrial enterprises, especially healthcare, leading to severe losses and even casualties. The average ransom demand has risen to $5.2 million, with demands as high as $100 million targeting healthcare organizations like India's Regional Cancer Center (RCC) and $50 million from Synnovis.