The internet has become a necessary component of our everyday life in the modern world. We utilize it for communication, entertainment, banking and online shopping. On the other hand, as technology has advanced, cybercrime has also increased dramatically. Cybercrime refers to any illegal behavior carried out using a computer or the internet. It is impossible to overestimate the effects of cybercrime on our mental health and general wellbeing. Financial loss, mental misery and identity theft are all possible outcomes of cybercrime. This article will discuss the various forms of cybercrime, how they can affect our mental health and useful advice on how to keep secure online and safeguard our wellbeing.

Are you fighting in what seems like a never-ending battle to repel the onslaught of cyber-attacks? You are not alone, though. Companies and individuals are becoming increasingly concerned about cybercrime as a result of the increased exposure of digital data. Threats to data security are always changing and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. When we put in place a trustworthy cyber defense, skilled hackers find a way around it right away, therefore we have to keep adding layers of security until we reach “Zero Trust.” Strict cyber security protocols used at home and at work can greatly reduce the likelihood that a major cyber-attack could harm someone’s wealth, reputation and mental health.

Many people now conduct their everyday duties from home after the pandemic. People use the Internet for shopping, relaxation, employment, education and medical visits, including medical experts. Global cybercrime has increased concurrently. This narrative overview looks at how technology is being used differently, how the pandemic is affecting society, how cybercrime is developing, how individuals might become targets of cybercrime and how those with mental illnesses are particularly vulnerable.

What are the types of Cybercrime People are getting Victim of?

Cybercrime can take many different forms, each with its own special traits and techniques. The following are a few of the prevalent categories of cybercrime:

  1. Identity Theft: Cybercriminals can conduct fraud by stealing personal information, including credit card numbers, social security numbers and login credentials, through identity theft. Victims of identity theft may suffer from severe financial loss, harm to their credit ratings and psychological anguish.
  2. Cyber Bullying and Cyber Harassment: Cyberbullying and online harassment are types of cybercrime that include using technology to threaten, harass or intimidate others. Anxiety, despair and social isolation are among the major effects of online harassment and cyberbullying on mental health and wellbeing.
  3. Malware Attacks: Cybercrime that involves the deployment of malicious software to obtain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks is known as a malware attack. Malware can be used to spy on users, interfere with computer systems, and steal confidential information.
  4. Phishing: Phishing is a kind of cybercrime when people are tricked into disclosing personal information, including credit card numbers and login credentials via emails, texts or social media posts.

What is the Impact of Cybercrime on Mental Health?

It is impossible to estimate how much cybercrime affects mental health. Depression, anxiety and mental discomfort can all be brought on by cybercrime. Cybercrime victims could feel violated and out of control, which can have a long-term negative impact on their mental health and general wellbeing. Financial loss is another consequence of cybercrime that can raise stress and anxiety levels. Relationships can be significantly impacted by cybercrime as well. Cybercrime victims could feel alone in society and find it hard to trust people. Cyberbullying and online harassment are also related to cybercrime, and they can have a very negative psychological impact on victims.

Will Cybercrime Decrease?

There’s no reason to believe that cybercrime will end. From a dark hobby for lone hackers, cybercrime has developed into a highly coordinated global economic network encompassing all facets of cyber-attack activity, including underground markets for stolen data. Due to the increasing popularity of the cybercrime-as-a-service model, relatively little technical knowledge is required to purchase a wide variety of attack “services” through hacker forums or cybercrime marketplaces on the dark web. Conventional physical theft of money, such as breaking into a home or place of business, leaves a lot of evidence, such as security camera footage, fingerprints and shoeprints. On the other hand, a cybercriminal conceals their identity and faces minimal chances of being apprehended or imprisoned.

What are the Aftermaths of Online Fraud?

Online fraud victims may experience both financial and psychological repercussions. Significant, abrupt drops in wealth are linked to mental health issues, particularly depression, as was the case in the USA and Europe following the Great Recession of 2008. Online fraud victims say that the psychological toll of falling victim to a scam is just as great as the financial consequences. In addition to losing a relationship, victims of online romance scams frequently report feeling depressed, guilty, deeply ashamed, and embarrassed. In addition to a host of medical symptoms, identity theft victims report experiencing significant mental suffering, such as feelings of tension, rage and melancholy. In the same way that stressful life events can cause relapses in individuals with persistent mental illnesses, online fraud may exacerbate the symptoms of mental disease.

Does Mental Illness Increase Vulnerability?

A mental disorder may make a person more susceptible to cybercrime. Individuals who are mentally weak, such as those suffering from serious mental illnesses and senior citizens, are susceptible to many forms of financial fraud. The likelihood of losing money to internet fraud is higher in those who are impulsive or emotionally unstable. People with mental illness may find it more difficult to use coping mechanisms and to maintain social relationships as a result of social isolation and changes to daily routines. Some mental health patients may use the internet during a crisis, when exhibiting psychotic symptoms, or if they are cognitively or memory impaired to some extent. Age-related negative emotions and a reduced short-term memory may raise the likelihood of online deceit. Adolescents who use digital devices or social media excessively may experience unfavorable emotional repercussions. There is still a digital gap, and some people use the internet infrequently and lack technological knowledge and expertise, which makes them more susceptible to fraud. Furthermore, those with lower levels of knowledge frequently do nothing and do not reflect on their own behavior to stop similar instances from happening in the future when they fall victim to online fraud.

Tips to Protect Mental Health when Online:

It’s critical to safeguard your mental health when using the internet. The following advice can help you maintain your emotional well-being when using the internet:

  1. Establish Limits: When it comes to safeguarding your mental health when using the internet, setting limits is crucial. Set boundaries for the kinds of content you consume and the amount of time you spend online. Avoid becoming involved in emotionally taxing internet disputes and arguments.
  2. Take Care of Yourself: Maintaining excellent mental health requires engaging in self-care. Take regular pauses from the internet, work out, and partake in enjoyable activities.
  3. Seek Assistance: Seek assistance from friends, family, or a mental health professional if you have been the victim of cybercrime. You can better analyze your feelings and recover control of your life by talking to others about your experiences.
  4. Realistic Strategies for Online Safety: Maintaining your online safety is essential for safeguarding both your mental and personal data. Here are a few reasonable strategies for maintaining your online safety:
  5. Use Strong Passwords: Protecting your personal data requires using strong passwords. To construct a secure password, use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.
  6. Update Your Software Often: Updating your software is essential if you want to keep malware and other online hazards off of your computer. As soon as updates are released, install them.
  7. Employ two-factor Verification: Your online accounts are further secured with two-factor authentication. When it’s feasible, turn on two-factor authentication to safeguard your personal data.

Conclusion

Cybercrime is a severe issue that can negatively affect our emotional and physical health. It is imperative that we take the required precautions to keep ourselves safe online and defend against hackers. We can safeguard our private information and mental health while utilizing the internet’s advantages if we heed the advice and suggestions in this article. Recall that everyone has a part to play in avoiding cybercrime, and that remaining secure online is a shared duty.

SOURCES

National Library of Medicine 2021 – Increasing Cybercrime since the Pandemic

Acronym Solutions 2022 – Hidden Impact of Mental Health

Yenepoya Institute of Art, Science, Commerce and Management 2023 – How to Stay Safe Online and Protect Your Well-being

Oxford Academics 2023 – Cyber Attacks & Psychological Distress

HISTORY

Current Version
September 5, 2024

Written By:
BARIRA MEHMOOD