Cyber threats and cybercrime – a disruption of human security?

Cyberspace is everywhere in the world nowadays – all our activities are connected to the internet, devices are connected to each other and at least part of our life takes place online. Although it makes daily life easier and faster most of the time, sometimes people do not apply the level of protection in the online sphere, as they do offline. Crime takes place no matter the space, and the digital sphere has enabled a new world where crime is becoming even more common due to the easy access and anonymity. Cybercrime does not have geographical boundaries or time restrictions; instead, it is becoming easier to commit fraud online. Cyber awareness among people, such as knowledge about existing threats and their prevention in the online world is often considered the weakest link in the chain of committing a crime. Whether or not cybercrime has a direct threat on or even a connection to human security has not been discussed much. Human security in relation to cyberspace is shifting away...Show moreCyberspace is everywhere in the world nowadays – all our activities are connected to the internet, devices are connected to each other and at least part of our life takes place online. Although it makes daily life easier and faster most of the time, sometimes people do not apply the level of protection in the online sphere, as they do offline. Crime takes place no matter the space, and the digital sphere has enabled a new world where crime is becoming even more common due to the easy access and anonymity. Cybercrime does not have geographical boundaries or time restrictions; instead, it is becoming easier to commit fraud online. Cyber awareness among people, such as knowledge about existing threats and their prevention in the online world is often considered the weakest link in the chain of committing a crime. Whether or not cybercrime has a direct threat on or even a connection to human security has not been discussed much. Human security in relation to cyberspace is shifting away from physical threats and towards psychological harm. This paper will search for the relationship between human security and cybersecurity through a deeper research on the subject of cyberspace and the threats that it poses to internet users. It will also analyse the level of awareness of potential cyber threats among internet users using the empirical data taken from an online survey of 220 participants and through the human security concept to explore the level of disruptions created by different threats.Show less

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Cyber threats and cybercrime – a disruption of human security?