Increasing Cybercrime Since the Pandemic: Concerns for Psychiatry

Abstract

Purpose of Review Since the pandemic, the daily activities of many people occur at home. People connect to the Internet for work, school, shopping, entertainment, and doctor visits, including psychiatrists. Concurrently, cybercrime has surged worldwide. This narrative review examines the changing use of technology, societal impacts of the pandemic, how cybercrime is evolving, individual vulnerabilities to cybercrime, and special concerns for those with mental illness. Recent Findings Human factors are a central component of cybersecurity as individual behaviors, personality traits, online activities, and attitudes to technology impact vulnerability. Mental illness may increase vulnerability to cybercrime. The risks of cybercrime should be recognized as victims experience long-term psychological and financial consequences. Patients with mental illness may not be aware of the dangers of cybercrime, of risky online behaviors, or the measures to mitigate risk. Summary Technology provides powerful tools for psychiatry but technology must be used with the appropriate safety measures. Psychiatrists should be aware of the potential aftermath of cybercrime on mental health, and the increased patient risk since the pandemic, including from online mental health services. As a first step to increase patient awareness of cybercrime, psychiatrists should provide a recommended list of trusted sources that educate consumers on cybersecurity.

Crime and deviance during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…As such, we have observed a “so‐called” switch from the physical world to the digital world (Miró‐Llinares & Moneva, 2019 ; Monteith et al., 2021 ; Plachkinova, 2021 ). This greater activity in the digital space has provided new economic opportunities for motivated offenders to exploit vulnerable groups and systems including infiltration of individual computers, health care systems, and video conferencing tools (Chawki, 2021 ; Collier, 2020 ; Collier et al., 2020 ; Monteith et al., 2021 ; Pawlicka et al., 2021 ). In fact, this proliferation of cybercriminal activity is suggested to be at least partially attributed to the boredom of offenders because of more leisurely time at home (Collier, 2020 ).…”

“…The Internet became the default mode of communication after strict lockdown measures were implemented during the first wave of the pandemic and it remains a major platform for work, classes, consultations, shopping, and socializing. As such, we have observed a "so-called" switch from the physical world to the digital world (Miró-Llinares & Moneva, 2019;Monteith et al, 2021;Plachkinova, 2021). This greater activity in the digital space has provided new economic opportunities for motivated offenders to exploit vulnerable groups and systems including infiltration of individual computers, health care systems, and video conferencing tools (Chawki, 2021;Collier, 2020;Collier et al, 2020;Monteith et al, 2021;Pawlicka et al, 2021).…”

“…Certain individuals unaccustomed to technology may lack sufficient knowledge in recognizing fraudulent processes (Sampson & Ojen, 2021 ), and, therefore, are less likely to successfully take precautionary measures (e.g., software security, strong passwords, etc.). Many who are older, more impulsive, and unfamiliar with new technology are especially likely to be victimized by cybercrime including phishing scams and fraud (Monteith et al., 2021 ; Sampson & Ojen, 2021 ). Recent research also underscores the importance of paying closer attention to mental illness as another factor that can increase the vulnerability to cybercrime (Monteith et al., 2021 ).…”

“…Many who are older, more impulsive, and unfamiliar with new technology are especially likely to be victimized by cybercrime including phishing scams and fraud (Monteith et al., 2021 ; Sampson & Ojen, 2021 ). Recent research also underscores the importance of paying closer attention to mental illness as another factor that can increase the vulnerability to cybercrime (Monteith et al., 2021 ).…”

Relevance of Cybersecurity Education at Pedagogy Levels in Schools

“…These cases have been on the rise recently, as some most youths find it to be a lucrative way to earn money faster [11]. The number of cybercrimes in the United States has tremendously increased, with 814 cases reported in 2012 and 1095 cases reported the following year, and a relative increase in 2020 primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic [15]. These cases have been rampant and have contributed to the loss of money from victims.…”