cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm 
plural cybercrimes
: criminal activity (such as fraud, theft, or distribution of child pornography) committed using a computer especially to illegally access, transmit, or manipulate data
The growing number of mobile devices, such as phones and tablets, and the popularity of social networks give them new avenues in which to expand their cybercrime.—
Eric Geier
Eric GeierCybercrime is taking a bottom-line toll on the corporate workplace. Last year, losses exceeded $100 million—and that figure continues to skyrocket as security breaches pose an increasing threat to U.S. corporations, banks, and even the government.—Beth Wilson
Beth Wilson
also
: an instance of such activity
The increasing prevalence of cloud computing … has made storing and accessing important electronic data easier and less expensive than ever. However, the expanding number of documents and other information being stored electronically has increased the threat of cybercrimes, including data breaches. —John Squitero
John Squitero
cybercriminal
ˈsī-bər-ˌkri-mə-nᵊl
noun
-ˈkrim-nəl
plural cybercriminals
More small businesses are falling victim to "ransomware," to which malicious code locks up computer files and cybercriminals demand a ransom to free them.
—Ruth Simon
Ruth Simon
Examples of cybercrime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Road Ahead While everyone hopes they won’t be targeted by cybercrime, the odds aren’t good.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Aflac attributed the incident to a sophisticated cybercrime group involved in a broader campaign targeting the insurance industry.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 June 2025
According to a 2025 study by Cybersecurity Ventures, global damage from cybercrime is projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
—William Jones, USA Today, 30 June 2025
The attack is believed to be part of a hacking spree perpetrated by a cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cybercrime
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Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Aflac attributed the incident to a sophisticated cybercrime group involved in a broader campaign targeting the insurance industry.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 June 2025
According to a 2025 study by Cybersecurity Ventures, global damage from cybercrime is projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
—William Jones, USA Today, 30 June 2025
The attack is believed to be part of a hacking spree perpetrated by a cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cybercrime
Cite this Entry
“Cybercrime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cybercrime. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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cybercrime
noun
cy·ber·crime
ˈsī-bər-ˌkrīm
: crime (as theft, fraud, intellectual property violations, or distribution of child pornography) committed electronically
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