Forms of cybercrime

Common forms of cybercrime

Common forms of cybercrime include:

• phishing: using fake email messages to get personal information from internet users;
• misusing personal information (identity theft);
• hacking: shutting down or misusing websites or computer networks;
• spreading hate and inciting terrorism;
• distributing child pornography;
• grooming: making sexual advances to minors.

Nowadays, all digital devices (including computers, tablets, and smartphones) are connected to the internet. In theory, cyber criminals could bring a large part of the Netherlands to a halt. The government rightly takes cybercrime very seriously, and we are working hard to fight it.