Who Are Cybercriminals? Their Motives, How They Hack and Ways to Stay Safe

Cybercrime has reached boom proportions. What was a little isolated incident years ago is now one of the biggest dangers threatening us. In the last year alone, the FBI reported over $12.5 billion in losses due to cybercrime in the United States alone. That’s just what got reported.

Criminals are getting clever, too. They’re using AI to create deepfakes, crafting emails that look absolutely legitimate, and manipulating psychology as much as exploiting tech vulnerability.

What it boils down to: this is no longer an IT problem. Every time you..

• Log onto your bank on public Wi-Fi,
• Shop online,
• Click on a link in an email, or
• Reuse a password

you’re leaving yourself open.

Understanding these criminals—who they are, what they want, how they work—is the key to actually keeping yourself safe.

What Is Cybercrime? Definition and Scope

Cybercrime is a crime that is committed over computers and networks. Technology is used by someone to steal your identity, your money, or your information. The scope is ridiculous: Norton found that 1 out of 3 people online has been hit by a cyberattack. Nobody is safe.

Who Gets Targeted?

Target Type	Risk Level	Common Attacks
Individuals	High	Phishing, identity theft, romance scams
Small Businesses	Very High	Ransomware, payment fraud, data breaches
Large Corporations	High	Advanced malware, supply chain attacks
Government Agencies	High	State-sponsored espionage, infrastructure attacks

How Cybercrime Succeeds Today?

It’s all connected now. Your phone, laptop, smart thermostat, car—every one is a point of entry. Most attacks begin innocently:

• A spoofed email from your “bank”
• A suspicious download
• A login screen that’s a little off

The reason people fall for it is that criminals have gotten extremely proficient at making things look legit. To understand one of the most common tactics, see Social Engineering Scams and how they exploit human behavior more than technology.

Typical Methods of Attack (What to Look Out For)

Attack Types	How it Works	What They Get
Phishing	Fake emails/texts pretending to be someone you trust	Passwords, credit card numbers, and account access
Malware	Software that infects your device	Spies on you, steals files, holds data hostage
Social Engineering	Psychological manipulation to gain trust	Voluntary handover of sensitive info
Ransomware	Locks your files until you pay	Money (usually cryptocurrency)

Types of Cybercriminals: Who’s Behind the Attacks

Not all cybercriminals are the same. Here’s who you’re dealing with:

1. Hackers

Who they are: Very technical programmers who exploit security vulnerabilities

What they do:

• Put backdoors on networks
• Launch malware attacks
• Hack and sell information on the dark web

Motivation: Money, usually

Learn more about hidden internet activity in our guide on the Dark Web.

2. Scammers

Who they are: Con artists who moved online

What they do:

• Run phishing scams
• Create copycat shopping sites
• Create fake ransomware pop-ups
• Carry out romance scams

Motivation: Quick money through fraud

3. Hacktivists

Who they are: Hackers who hack for political or social motives

What they do:

• Hack and deface websites
• Release sensitive documents
• Take down systems in order to make a point

Motivation: Ideology, not economics

The problem: No matter how benevolent their cause might look, regular people get hurt. Services go down, and personal data is breached.

4. Disgruntled Employees (Insider Threats)

Who they are: Current or former employees with system access

What they do:

• Steal sensitive documents
• Destroy databases
• Breach networks

Motivation: Revenge, frustration, or greed

Why they’re bad: They already know how everything works

5. State Actors / Cyberwarfare Groups

Who they are: Government-sponsored hackers with unlimited funds

What they do:

• Cyber-espionage
• Steal classified data
• Disable other nations’ infrastructure

Motivation: National interests, geopolitical gain

Threat level: Extremely high—they’re patient, funded, and trained

6. Script Kiddies

Who they are: Hacking tool download amateurs

What they do:

• Create chaos
• Play for attention
• Accidentally find really serious damage

Motivation: Boredom, curiosity, desire to appear cool

Don’t write them off: They can still cause real damage

7. Cyberstalkers

Who they are: Individuals who use digital means to harass other people

What they do:

• Monitor online activities
• Send threats
• Spread lies
• Dox victims (publish private details)

Motivation: Control, obsession, revenge

Want to know how cyberstalkers target victims and how to protect yourself? Learn more about cyberstalking, its warning signs, and how to stay safe online.

8. Catfishers and Online Impersonators

Who they are: People who create fake online profiles

What they do:

• Creating false romantic relationships
• Make the victim earn their trust
• Emotionally exploit them
• Soon ask for money

Motivation: Financial gain through emotional exploitation

Want to know how these scams play out? Learn how fake profiles and emotional manipulation fuel these scams in our catfishing guide.

9. Ponzi and Investment Scammers

Who they are: New age pyramid scheme operators

What they do:

• Make false return promises
• Pay original investors using money from new ones
• Soon disappear when it collapses

Motivation: Get rich before the scheme collapses

Learn how Ponzi schemes and investment scams trick investors and the key red flags that can help you spot one early.

10. Cryptojackers and Crypto Criminals

Who they are: Scammers riding the crypto bubble

What they do:

• Cryptojacking (hack your computer to perform crypto mining)
• Set up fake investment sites
• Phish for wallet details
• Create fake NFT marketplaces

Motivation: Money in a lightly regulated setting

Real Cybercrime Examples You’ll Actually Encounter

Here’s what happens in real life with these attacks:

• Identity Theft: Someone steals your info and opens credit cards under your name
• Ransomware: Your PC gets locked, and requests Bitcoin to unlock it.
• Crypto Scams: Fake sites promising 50% returns, then they vanish
• Cyberstalking: Stalker ex searching for you and texting
• Catfishing: “Person” you’ve been dating for months, asking for $5,000 in an emergency
• Ponzi Schemes: Investment group that pays out for 6 months, then poof
• Shopping Scams: You purchase something, they get your credit card, and nothing ever arrives

They all use technology tricks coupled with psychology. Awareness is your best defense.

Motives Behind Cybercriminals: Why They Do Cybercrime

Motive	Who	What They Do
Money	Most Criminals	Steal credit cards, demand ransom, sell data
Ideology	Hacktivists	Expose corruption, promote causes, make statements
Revenge	Insiders, ex-employees	Hurt the company/person who wronged them
State Interests	Government hackers	Espionage, disruption, strategic data
Attention	Script kiddies	Notoriety, bragging rights
Control	Cyberstalkers	Power over victims

Understanding the motive helps you predict their next move.

How Cybercriminals Hack: Methods and Techniques

The Technical Stuff

1. Phishing:

• You get an email that seems fine
• “Your account has been hacked! Click here!”
• The link is to a fake site
• You enter your password
• They’ve got you

Red flags to watch out for:

• Unusual sender addresses
• Panicky language that attempts to frighten you
• Links that don’t belong to the purported sender
• Requests for sensitive data

2. Malware:

Installs itself through email attachments or suspicious downloads

Once installed on your computer, it can:

• Capture your typing
• Steal files
• Lock everything of yours (ransomware)
• Spy on you covertly

3. Weak Passwords:

• Users use the same password on websites
• When one site gets compromised, hackers try those very same credentials on all the rest
• It’s automated and takes seconds to happen

The answer: Unique passwords for every account (use a password manager)

4. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks:

• Happens on public WiFi
• The criminal puts himself between you and the website
• Displays everything: passwords, credit cards, messages
• You never even realize it’s taking place

The fix: Use a VPN on public, or just don’t do sensitive things when you’re not on secure WiFi

5. Zero-Day Exploits:

• No one’s found the weaknesses yet
• No patch is available
• State actors and advanced groups take advantage of these
• You can’t defend against what hasn’t been found

The solution: Keep everything up-to-date so you’re protected when patches eventually become available.

The Psychology Stuff (Social Engineering)

Where they attack your brain instead of your computer.

Common scenarios:

• One call claiming they’re in IT: “We need your password so we can fix an issue.”
• Email supposedly from your manager: “Wire this money right away.”
• Pop-up tech support scam: “Your computer is infected! Call this number!”

How it works:

• They create a sense of urgency and anxiety
• They take advantage of your need to be a good Samaritan
• They pretend to be someone in charge
• They sound authentic

The Solution: Check everything out through another route. If it’s your manager sending an email requesting cash, contact them personally.

How to Stay Safe From Cybercrime?

Here’s what works. No BS, just the fundamentals.

1. Use Strong Passwords & Password Managers

What to do:

• Make them long (15+ characters)
• Make them random
• Make them unique for each account
• Use a password manager to deal with all this

Why it matters: Prevents credential stuffing, makes brute force attacks basically impossible.

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

What is it: Second authentication step when you log in (code to phone, authenticator app, etc.)

Turn it on for:

• Email (your email determines everything else)
• Bank accounts and financial
• Social media
• Any account that contains sensitive data

Why it matters: Even if they steal your password, they’re not getting in.

3. Keep Softwares & Antivirus Updated

What to update:

• Operating system
• All apps
• Antivirus software
• Browser
• Router firmware

How to do it: Enable automatic updates

Why it matters: Updates plug security holes before criminals do

4. Recognize and Avoid Scams

Watch out for:

• Soliciting emails for personal details
• Links in messages from strangers
• Pop-ups saying your machine is infected
• Too-good-to-be-true deals
• Panic messages are making you act in a hurry

Before you click on anything:

• Hover over links to reveal the actual URL
• Check the sender using another method
• Check for typos or unusual characters in the website address
• Look for the padlock symbol in your browser

5. Stay Informed & Be Cyber-Aware

Threats change daily. What worked last year won’t work today.

How to stay current:

• Stay current with cybersecurity news
• Read about new scams
• Learn from others’ experience
• Stay current with trusted sources

Why it matters: You can’t defend against threats you don’t know about.

How to Report Cybercriminals: Steps You Should Take

Act now. Every minute counts.

Immediate Steps:

Steps	What to Do	Why
Document	Screenshot everything, save emails, record transaction details	Evidence for law enforcement
Report	File with the FBI IC3 or local cybercrime unit	Gets the investigation started
Notify Banks	Call your bank, credit card company, or crypto exchange	They can freeze accounts, reverse transactions
Credit Bureaus	Alert them to freeze your credit	Stops criminals from opening accounts in your name
Change Passwords	Every account, starting with email	Cuts off their access

Who to Contact?

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): For reporting cybercrime in the U.S.
• Local police cybercrime unit: For in-person reports
• Your bank’s fraud unit: For financial loss
• Credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion): For identity theft
• Internet Scam Recovery Services: For help in recovering losses

The Real Cost and Impact of Cybercrime

By the Numbers:

• $12.5 billion: 2024 U.S. losses (FBI report)
• $10.5 trillion: Projected damage worldwide by the end of 2025
• 1 in 3: Internet users who’ve been victimized by a cyberattack

Beyond Money:

The damage reaches deeper than your wallet:

• Emotional trauma: Survivors manage stress, anxiety, and violated privacy
• Reputation damage: For individuals and businesses
• Lost trust: In computer networks, in relationships (romance scams)
• Time: Recovery takes months or years
• Business impact: Lost business, regulatory fines, shutdown of operations

The critical insight: Prevention is a lot cheaper than recovery. You spend now on security and you prevent a catastrophe later.

Emerging Cybercrime Threats (2025 & Beyond)

Criminals adopt new technology quickly than most defenses can keep up. Here’s what’s coming:

AI-Generated Scams

What’s happening:

• Deepfake videos are almost indistinguishable from real life
• AI-written phishing emails that all test pass
• Voice cloning for phone scams

Why it’s scary: Even tech-savvy people are falling for it

IoT Vulnerabilities

The problem:

• Smart home gadgets have terrible security
• Wearables leak personal data
• Connected cars can be hacked

What this means: Every device you introduce into your network is an access point waiting to happen.

Cryptocurrency Explosion

What’s happening:

• Wallet scams
• Veteran exchanges and NFT marketplaces
• Veteran pulls (creators vanish with investor money)
• Cryptojacking (crypto mining with your device)

Why it’s on the rise: Crypto is still under-regulated, and transactions can’t be reversed

Supply Chain Attacks

How it occurs:

• Malicious players infiltrate trusted software
• They add malicious code
• When you install the update, you get infected
• Thousands or millions of users affected simultaneously

Recent example: SolarWinds hack infected numerous government agencies and companies

Social Engineering 2.0

The evolution

• Attackers combine AI tools with human psychology expertise
• Very customized attacks based on your social media
• Messages hinting at real events in your life
• Absolutely impossible to distinguish from regular communication

Bottom Line: Remain Safe, Remain Alert

Cybercriminals are everywhere. They’re motivated, they’re getting smarter, and they won’t quit.

What You Can Control

You can’t avoid all attacks, but you can make yourself a lot harder to hit:

• Unique, strong passwords (use a manager)
• Multi-factor authentication on everything that counts
• Keep software up to date automatically
• Always be leery of unsolicited messages
• Educate yourself about new scams regularly
• Report suspicious activity promptly

The Real Talk

Living proactively to online security isn’t optional anymore. It’s not paranoia—it’s 2025 common sense self-protection.

The bad guys are well-funded, highly motivated, and constantly creating new techniques. Your habits and vigilance are what stand between you and being the next statistic in next year’s FBI report.

Stay current. Stay alert. Stay secure.

FAQ’s