Cybercrimes are broadly defined as criminal offenses committed through the Internet or other computer technology. Numerous crimes fall under the umbrella of cybercrimes, and in some cases, perpetrators can face federal charges as well as state charges. The following are some of the most common cybercrimes in North Carolina.
Computer crimes
These offenses include unauthorized intrusion (hacking) into a computer or computer network, using computer encryption to commit another crime and infecting computers with viruses and malware.
Cyberbullying
These offenses involve using computers or social networks to intimidate, harass or otherwise bully someone else. Most often they involve students using online technology to bully classmates.
Sexting
Sexting involves transmitting nude images or sexually suggestive materials to other via smartphones, tablets, social networks, email and other forms of electronic communication. If the images involve minors, a perpetrator may also face serious charges related to child pornography.
Online scams
Online scams take many forms, and they may use email, social networks and other Internet technology to defraud unsuspecting victims. One of the most pervasive types of online scams is phishing, where a perpetrator uses fake emails that look like they came from legitimate sources to gather personal and financial information from the victim.
Identity theft
In many cases, offenders use phishing and online scams to steal other people’s identities, and they can also gain access to sensitive personal information by hacking into secured computer networks and systems.
Defending oneself against cyber-crime charges
Many cybercrimes are felonies in North Carolina, and in many cases, the federal government can investigate and prosecute crimes because they inherently affect interstate or foreign commerce or occur across state lines or international borders. Penalties will depend on the nature and severity of the crime, but a conviction of any cybercrime can result in prison time, substantial fines and perhaps having to register as a sex offender. As such, anyone in North Carolina facing charges for any type of cybercrime needs to consult an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible for help.