An Analysis of the factors affecting Cybercrime against individuals in Pakistan

Abstract

The number of internet users in Pakistan is sharply on the rise. This acceleration of digital adoption coupled with a general lack of awareness about cybersecurity in the Pakistani population has created fertile ground for cyber criminals and bad actors to exploit the digital medium thus harming both individuals and society in the process. This paper presents an overview of the state of cybercrime in Pakistan. We discuss the various types of cybercrime, the different groups of people falling victim to these crimes, the factors motivating cybercrime, the factors supporting cybercrime, and the measures necessary to reduce cybercrime activity. The insights presented have been drawn through a process of in-depth interviews with cybercrime experts, followed by a broad-based survey of individuals regarding their experiences with cybercrime.