New Books in Communications David S. Wall, "Cybercrime: The Transformation of Crime in the Information Age" (Polity, 2024)
Jul 13, 2025
David S. Wall, a Professor of Criminology at the University of Leeds and a leading expert in cybercrime, dives into the evolving landscape of criminal behavior shaped by the digital revolution. He discusses the unique nature of cybercrime compared to traditional crime and the rising accessibility of criminal activities. Wall highlights critical issues like ransomware attacks on essential services and the challenging balance between security and privacy. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for digital safety education, especially for children, to navigate the complexities of online risks and misinformation.
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Cybercrime Encompasses Diverse Acts
- Cybercrime includes hacking crimes that utilize machines and distinct crimes involving digital content like online bullying and financial fraud.
- Some crimes completely depend on the internet, while others like financial crimes also occur offline but less globally.
AI Amplifies Cybercrime's Complexity
- The volume and complexity of financial fraud in cybercrime has grown impressively in recent years.
- Artificial intelligence is accelerating the cleverness and scale of cyber-attacks, raising new concerns for security.
Cryptocurrency Enables Rapid Theft
- Cryptocurrency’s speed and opacity enable rapid laundering and theft of large sums globally.
- Law enforcement's bureaucratic nature hinders their ability to respond instantly to fast cryptocurrency crimes.
