The Internet's rapid diffusion and digitization of economic activities
have led to the emergence of a new breed of criminals. Economic,
political, and social impacts impacts of these cyber-criminals'
activities have received considerable attention in recent years.
Individuals, businesses, and governments rightfully worry about the
security of their systems, networks, and IT infrastructures. Looking at
the patterns of cybercrimes, it is apparent that many underlying
assumptions about crimes are ?awed, unrealistic, and implausible to
explain this new form of criminality. The empirical records regarding
crime patterns and stra- gies to avoid and ?ght crimes run counter to
the functioning of the cyberworld. The ?elds of hacking and cybercrime
have also undergone political, social, and psychological metamorphosis.
The cybercrime industry is a comparatively young area of inquiry. While
there has been an agreement that the global cybercrime industry is
tremendously huge, little is known about its exact size and structure.
Very few published studies have examined economic and institutional
factors that in?uence strategies and behaviors of various actors
associated with the cybercrime industry. Theorists are also debating as
to the best way to comprehend the actions of cyber criminals and hackers
and the symbiotic relationships they have with various players.