The Development of Cybercrime: Past, Present and Future

This paper reflects on how cybercrime has developed and how the cybercrimes of today often had their roots in pre-digital technologies. The paper also identifies the success stories in cybercrime control that demonstrate how potential risk areas have been addressed prior to widespread criminality developing. Finally, the paper examines the likely trajectory of cybercrime in the years ahead and identifies ways in which future risks might be minimised. It is concluded that technological developments have, indeed, fostered criminality, and that those responsible for designing-out crime in new products have failed to understand fully the attractions that technology offers for those suitably motivated to commit crime in the digital age.