Cyber crime – serious challenge during the covid-19 pandemic

Uvod: Sajber kriminal se odnosi na svako nezakonito delo izvršeno korišće- njem računara, računarskih mreža ili drugog oblika informacionih i komunika- cionih tehnologija. U zavisnosti od toga da li je tehnologija meta ili sredstvo iz- vršenja, možemo razlikovati krivična dela koja podrazumevaju napade usme- rene na uređaje i računarske mreže i različite oblike „tradicionalnih” krivičnih dela čiji se obim i domet povećavaju upotrebom digitalnih tehnologija. Usled KOVID-19 pandemije ljudi su prisiljeni da ostaju kod kuće i da se, više nego ikada pre, oslone na računare, telefone i internet, kako bi mogli da rade, uče na daljinu, kupuju, informišu se i komuniciraju sa drugima. Premeštanje sva- kodnevnih i poslovnih aktivnosti iz fizičke u digitalnu sferu otvara i mogućnost nastanka novih oblika pretnji i rizika u sajber prostoru. Cilj: Cilj rada bio je da se eksplorativnim istraživanjem ustanove zastupljenost, raširenost i oblici ispoljavanja sajber kriminala tokom KOVID-19 pandemije. Metod: Korišćena je metoda pretraživanja i analize velikog broja primarnih i sekundarnih izvora informacija (desk research), proučavanjem različitih nauč- nih baza podataka i sprovedenih istraživanja o zastupljenosti i različitim obli- cima sajber kriminala tokom pandemije. Rezultati: Podaci pokazuju da je tokom KOVID-19 pandemije došlo do pove- ćanja stope raširenosti i sofisticiranosti sajber kriminala. Mete sajber napada su pored pojedinaca i malih preduzeća, sve više velike korporacije i institucije koje imaju ključnu ulogu u odgovoru na izbijanje bolesti. Pored rapidnog rasta sajber napada na računare i računarske mreže, došlo je i do povećanja broja „tradicionalnih” krivičnih dela u sajber prostoru, uz iskorišćavanje bezbedno- sne ranjivosti rada od kuće i straha i neizvesnosti zbog pandemije. Zaključak: Enormni rast sajber kriminala tokom KOVID-19 pandemije predstav- lja ozbiljan izazov za državne strukture. Državno reagovanje na krupan porast sajber kriminala prvenstveno bi trebalo da se usmeri na sprovođenje preventiv- nih mera kroz edukacije i kampanje podizanja svesti, jer je najveći bezbednosni rizik potcenjivanje ili nedostatak svesti o pretnjama u sajber prostoru.Introduction: Cybercrime refers to any illegal act committed using computers, computer networks, or other forms of information and communication technologies. Depending on whether the technology is a target or a means of execution, we can distinguish between crimes that involve attacks aimed at devices and computer networks, and different forms of “traditional” crimes whose scope and reach increase with the use of digital technologies. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have to stay home, rely more than ever on computers, phones, and the Internet to telework, learn on distance, buy things, get information, and communicate with others. The shift of everyday and business activities from the physical to the digital sphere also opens the possibility of the emergence of new forms of threats and risks in cyberspace. Aim: The paper aimed to explore the prevalence and forms of manifestation of cybercrime during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Desk research was conducted by gathering and analyzing a plethora of primary and secondary sources of information, various scientific databases and research findings on the prevalence and various forms of cybercrime during the pandemic. Results: The data show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the prevalence, widespread presence, and sophistication of cybercrime. In addition to individuals and small businesses, the target of cyberattacks in greater amount is large corporations and institutions that play a crucial role in responding to the outbreak. Besides the rapid growth of cyber-attacks on computers and computer networks, the rate of “traditional” crimes in cyberspace has also increased by exploiting security vulnerabilities of teleworking and fear and uncertainty due to the pandemic. Conclusion: The enormous growth of cybercrime during the COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious challenge to government structures. The state’s response to the huge rise of cybercrime should initially focus on implementing preventive measures in the form of education and awareness-raising campaigns, as the greatest security risk is underestimation or lack of awareness of cyber threats