Exploring the behavioral and psychological predictors of serious cybercriminality

• In Event: Cybercrime Offenders & Victims (part 2)

Abstract

Criminological inquiry on more serious forms of cybercrime, like malware use and denial of service attacks, largely examine these crimes through police data, or online forums and related data sources. Survey research suggests that these behaviors are exceedingly rare in college samples and the broader population. As a result, it is difficult to identify what behavioral and psychological predictors may be associated with such criminality. This analysis attempts to extend the prior literature through an examination of these behaviors using survey data collected in the Netherlands. The findings suggest that traditional correlates of offending are associated with denial of service attacks and web defacements, though not with malware use. The implications of this study for both policy and practice will be explored in detail.

Authors

• Thomas J. Holt, Michigan State University

• Luuk Bekkers, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

• Rutger Leukfeldt, NSCR