Cyber Crime: Analysis of Offending Patterns and Offender Characteristics with Special Emphasis on Women
Open Access
Author:
Lee, Corey J
Area of Honors:
Security and Risk Analysis
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Darrell J Steffensmeier, Thesis Supervisor William Benjamin Gill, Honors Advisor
Keywords:
cyber crime cybercriminal women
Abstract:
This document analyzes the offender characteristics and offending patterns of modern day cybercriminals. A Cyber Crime Database (CCD) including 53 cases and 101 defendants involved in cyber crimes prosecuted by the Department of Justice was created for this report by analyzing press releases and indictments published for public record in 2010. The findings observed from the analysis of this dataset were compared against the findings of several comprehensive, industry-approved cyber crime reports to accurately identify consistent offender and offending patterns related to cyber crimes. By identifying these patterns, current cyber crime risk management and risk analysis efforts will be enhanced. Additionally, this study investigated the extent to which women were involved in cyber crimes to provide insight regarding their involvement and enhance modern day cybercriminal profiling. The key findings of this thesis are: (1) Men are more likely to be cybercriminals; (2) Men are more likely to be ringleaders of cyber crime networks; and (3) The nature and extent of female involvement in cyber crime appears to be shaped by their gendered focal concerns and risk-taking styles.
