International Day Against Cybercrime Date in the current year: December 24, 2025

While the digital age has made our lives easier, it has also introduced new technology-related challenges, including cybercrime. According to the broadest definition, cybercrime is any criminal activity carried out using digital devices and/or networks, especially the internet. Common types of cybercrime include:

• Hacking: unauthorized access to computer systems or networks to steal data, cause damage, or gain control.
• Malware attacks: using malicious software, such as viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, or ransomware to disrupt systems, steal information, or extort money.
• Phishing and social engineering: tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details, via deceptive messages or interactions.
• Identity theft: using stolen personal data to impersonate someone for financial gain or other fraudulent purposes.
• Financial fraud: crimes involving online banking fraud, credit card fraud, investment scams, and payment system abuse.
• Cyber extortion: using ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands payment for its release.
• Denial-of-service attacks: attempts to overwhelm a system, server, or network with traffic so that it becomes unavailable to users.
• Cyber espionage: theft of confidential information by individuals, corporations, or states, often targeting governments or critical industries.
• Cyberstalking and online harassment: repeated or severe online behavior intended to intimidate, threaten, or psychologically harm individuals.
• Intellectual property theft: the unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of protected works such as software, music, films, or trade secrets.
• Child exploitation offenses: creating, distributing or possessing illegal material involving minors, or online grooming for abuse.
• Illegal online marketplaces: operating or using platforms that sell illicit goods or services such as drugs, weapons, or stolen data.
• Cryptojacking: the unauthorized use of someone else’s computer or device to mine cryptocurrency.
• Cyberterrorism: using cyberattacks to intimidate or coerce governments or civilian populations to achieve political, ideological, or religious goals.
• Cybersex trafficking: a type of sex trafficking that includes live streaming of sexual acts.

Cybercrimes are notoriously difficult to prosecute because they are often transnational, enabling offenders to operate across multiple jurisdictions with different laws, investigative powers, and levels of cooperation.

On December 24, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, also known as the Hanoi Convention. Originally proposed by Russia in 2017, the convention has been widely criticized by human rights organizations, academics, NGOs, policy experts, and tech companies because of its vague definitions of cybercrimes and its expansion of surveillance and data collection capabilities for repressive governments without proper human rights safeguards.

While the UN Convention Against Cybercrime is imperfect, it is clear that cybercrimes are dangerous and require international cooperation to investigate and prosecute. The International Day Against Cybercrime commemorates the adoption of the Hanoi Convention, highlights the dangers of cybercrime, and strengthens international cooperation. It is spearheaded by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.