NATIONAL SEMINAR

ON
Emerging Trends In
Cyber Law And Cyber Security:
Issues And Challenges In Digital Era

SUB TOPIC: The Psychology Of Cyber Criminals

-ABIJIN N S1
ABSTRACT:

"When reason fails, the devil helps!" says Fyodor Dostoevsky. In the world of cybercrime, the
perpetrators often remain faceless, nameless, and hidden. What motivates these individuals to
engage in criminal activities? What are the psychological factors that contribute to their
behavior? Cybercriminals are a collection of individuals with unique characters, motivations, and
backgrounds. Some are driven by greed, while others seek revenge, power, and control. But the
most common psychological traits among cybercriminals are narcissism, manipulation, and a
lack of empathy for their victims. Normally, one reveals his true colors when he feels in control
and anonymous, which is exactly what the internet provides. This anonymity caused them to
abandon their reasoning ability, which further strengthened their sociopathic nature. The
psychology of cybercriminals is a complex topic that requires further analysis. In this article, we
will explore the minds of cybercriminals to understand their motivations and behaviors. By doing
so, we can develop effective strategies to prevent cybercrime from occurring.

KEYWORDS: Cybercrime, perpetrators, psychological factors, anonymity, reasoning

ability, sociopathy
 

1
2nd year, B.A., LL.B. Chennai Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Pudupakkam, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ph.no : 6369240598
E-mail: [email protected]
National Seminar On Emerging Trends In Cyber Law And Cyber Security: Issues And
Challenges In Digital Era

SUB TOPIC: The Psychology Of Cyber Criminals

INTRODUCTION:

In the world of crime, Cybercrime has quite a unique position. The term "cybercriminal" is not
unlike any other label used to categorize individuals who commit illegal activities. It is a term
that attempts to capture the essence of a phenomenon that is as complex and multifaceted as the
human psyche itself. Cybercrime has become increasingly prevalent in recent years with the rise
of the digital age and the pervasive use of technology in everyday life. The psychology of
cybercriminals is an area of inquiry that seeks to unravel the underlying motivations and thought
processes of individuals who engage in such criminal activities.

To understand the psychology of cybercriminals, researchers employ a variety of research

methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative methods involve the use
of interviews and case studies, while quantitative methods involve the use of surveys and
statistical analysis. Through these methods, researchers aim to identify common patterns and
traits among cybercriminals, such as their backgrounds, motivations, and the types of crimes they
commit.

One finding of these studies is that cybercriminals are driven by a range of motivations,
including financial gain, power, revenge, and thrill-seeking. Financial gain is perhaps the most
common motive, as cybercrime can be a lucrative enterprise, with some cybercriminals earning
millions of dollars each year. It is important to note that cybercriminals are not a homogenous
group. Factors such as age, gender, and cultural background can all influence their motivations
and behaviors. Moreover, many cybercriminals do not conform to the stereotypical image of a
criminal; they may be otherwise upstanding members of society, appearing to lead successful and
law-abiding lives.

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 Understanding the psychology of cybercriminals is essential in the fight against cybercrime. It
provides valuable insights into the motivations and behaviors of cybercriminals, which can help
law enforcement and other organizations develop more effective strategies to combat
cybercrime. Additionally, it serves to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and the
need for increased security measures to protect individuals and organizations from cyber threats.

"Cyber"criminals and "Criminal"psychology:

It's difficult to ignore the ubiquitous presence of cybercrime in our lives today. These faceless
individuals or groups operate with impunity, using the anonymity of technology to wreak havoc
on our computer systems, steal our private information, and cause widespread damage. Their
modus operandi is varied, ranging from phishing emails that trick us into revealing our personal
information, to insidious malware that disrupts our systems and steals our data. And then there's
ransomware, a particularly insidious type of malware that locks us out of our computers or files
until we pay up. In their pursuit of profit, they use sophisticated tools and techniques that are
designed to evade detection, operating with the impunity of the invisible. The consequences of
cybercrime can be devastating, particularly for those who are ill-prepared to deal with it.
Financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies are particularly vulnerable,
as they hold vast amounts of sensitive information that cybercriminals seek to exploit. The result
is a landscape in which no one is truly safe, and everyone must remain vigilant against the
looming threat of cybercrime.

In the field of criminal psychology, various methods2 are employed to understand the
psychological and behavioral aspects of crime. These methods include psychological assessment,
behavioral observation, case analysis, profiling, and forensic psychology. Through these
techniques, criminal psychologists seek to uncover the motivations and thought processes of
offenders, identify patterns and risks, and enhance public safety. In the study of criminal

https://blog-ipleaders-in.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/blog.ipleaders.in/criminal-psychology-an-important-area-in
-the-field-of-criminology/?amp=1&amp_js_v=0.1&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#Role

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psychology, the goal is to gain insight into the intricate web of factors that drive criminal
behavior and ultimately, to shed light on this dark corner of the human psyche.

INSIDE THE CRIMINAL MINDS:

“Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier
ways.” – Sigmund Freud

Honestly, I am really curious about what's inside the criminals' minds. Well, everyone wants to
know what made them commit such vile actions. There's a wall between sense and non-sense
and it's right and wrong for some people. When one loses his purpose, his sanity, his reasoning
ability, there will be a crack in that wall. Sometimes, the wall becomes so opaque that the person
can't see what is right or wrong clearly. For example, when a person is intoxicated it becomes
opaque. And here my favorite philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre3, argued that individuals are
responsible for their actions and choices and that criminal behavior is a result of those choices.
He believed that people were free to choose but also responsible for the consequences of their
choices. Sartre acknowledged that social norms can be a constraint on an individual's freedom,
which may lead some to turn to criminal behavior as a way to assert their autonomy. However,
he did not see criminals as a separate group of people but rather as individuals who have made
choices that led to criminal behavior. So, whether it's their choice or the environment, we will
now analyze it deeply.

As a human being, everyone has emotions like love, anger, jealousy and so on. The most
common ones are the sense of guilt, remorse, selfishness, greed and anger. These are emotions
that made us what we are today. Without them, there's a probability that we won't be able to
achieve this. Then, year after year, humans are able to understand each other and suppress their
bottled-up emotions. But I think there's still a dark thing lurking inside us. It gets triggered by
various reasons like the environment, PTSD4, pleasure, anger. And that darkness inside us is very
selfish and makes us commit all sorts of atrocities to make us feel good. Some people embrace

3
Existentialism and Humanism / translated by Philip Mairet. – London : Methuen, 1948
4
short for post-traumatic stress disorder

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their darkness while others are controlled by it, and they become criminals. Criminals engage in
these criminal activities seeking revenge, blinded by greed, and some are psychopaths and
sociopaths. Sociopaths are people shaped by the environment, while psychopaths are shaped by
innate matter, such as genetics.

In the book "Surrounded by Psychopaths" by Thomas Erikson5, the author discusses the
behavior of psychopaths and their tendency towards manipulation. Psychopaths are individuals
who lack empathy, guilt, and a conscience, which makes them skilled at manipulating others for
their own gain. Psychopaths often use various tactics to manipulate others, including lying,
gaslighting, and emotional manipulation. It's important to note that not all criminals exhibit these
characteristics, and some people with these traits may never engage in criminal behavior. Mind is
a complex topic. Some say the mind doesn't even exist. It's just like an onion which has many
layers in it. Psychology helps us to understand and study the mind. Maybe it's not accurate, but
even with that mediocrity, it helps us.

The Complex Factors Driving The Rise Of Cybercriminals:

One factor that contributes to the rise of cybercriminals is the relative ease with which one
can access the tools and knowledge necessary to carry out such activities. The internet has
democratized access to information and technology, making it possible for even novice hackers
to launch attacks. Additionally, the anonymity and remote nature of cybercrime make it an
attractive option for those seeking to profit or cause harm without fear of immediate
consequences. Another factor that can contribute to the development of cybercriminals is
socioeconomic factors. For individuals living in areas with limited economic opportunities,
cybercrime can present a lucrative means of making money. Cybercrime has been linked to
organized crime syndicates in some countries, which provide individuals with resources,
training, and support to carry out their activities. In these cases, cybercrime can become a viable
alternative to traditional forms of employment.

5
Surrounded by Psychopaths: How to Protect Yourself from Being Manipulated and Exploited in Business
(and in Life) [The Surrounded by Idiots Series]
Book by Thomas Erikson, 2018

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 Additionally, psychological factors may play a role in the development of cybercriminals.
Some individuals may be drawn to the challenge and excitement of hacking and exploiting
security vulnerabilities. Others may be motivated by a desire for revenge or to cause harm to
others. The anonymity of the internet can provide a sense of detachment from one's actions,
making it easier for individuals to justify their behavior. A growing psychological trait among
men nowadays is INCELS6. "INCELS" stands for "involuntarily celibate," a term used to
describe a subgroup of men who claim to be unable to find romantic or sexual partners despite
their desires and efforts. It is important to understand that not all individuals who identify as
incel are violent or hold extreme views, and that addressing the issues of loneliness and social
isolation that underlie the incel phenomenon requires a nuanced approach that takes into account
the individual circumstances of each person involved.

CASE STUDIES:

In 1961, psychologist Stanley Milgram7 conducted a study aimed at investigating obedience

to authority. The study revealed the powerful influence of authority figures on human behavior.
When someone takes responsibility for your actions, you do things that question your moral
actions. While the internet provides anonymity, this causes the users to feel they are safe and no
one knows their actions. Actually, it's a kind of trap. Most people fall into this kind of trap and
get blackmailed by some hackers. According to Hans Jürgen Eysenck, genetics determines one's
personality. From the start, humans were hungry and sex-driven, though the object of their goal
is different now. This hunger drives us deep down hell. It's already in our genes, some are
dormant while others are recessive. There's another term called "The Lucifer effect8", where a
good or morally stable guy breaks down and becomes evil. There have been several case studies
related to the psychology of cybercriminals, examining the motivations, behaviors, and thought
processes behind their actions. Some of them are :
● The Case of the Silk Road: The Silk Road was an online black market that operated on
the dark web from 2011 to 2013. Its founder, Ross Ulbricht, was arrested and convicted

6
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-44053828
7
Milgram, S., 1963. Behavioral Study of obedience. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology,
[online] 67(4), pp. 371-378.
8
Zimbardo, Philip G. The Lucifer Effect : Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. New York :Random
House, 2007.

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 of a variety of charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer
hacking. A study of Ulbricht's behavior found that he displayed a number of traits
commonly associated with psychopathy, including callousness, impulsivity, and a lack of
empathy.
● The Case of Albert Gonzalez: Albert Gonzalez was a notorious cybercriminal who was
responsible for several high-profile data breaches, including the theft of millions of credit
card numbers from retailers like TJ Maxx and Heartland Payment Systems. He was
eventually caught and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Psychologists who evaluated.
Gonzalez found that he had a history of substance abuse and antisocial behavior, as well
as a tendency towards thrill-seeking and risk-taking.
● The Case of Kevin Mitnick9: Kevin Mitnick is a former hacker who gained notoriety in
the 1990s for his exploits. He was eventually caught and spent several years in prison
before becoming a cybersecurity consultant. Mitnick's case is interesting because it
highlights the ways in which certain personality traits, such as curiosity and persistence,
can be both beneficial and problematic in the context of cybercrime.
These case studies suggest that cybercriminals are not a homogeneous group, and that their
motivations and behaviors can vary widely depending on their individual circumstances and
personalities.

USE OF PSYCHOLOGY IN CYBERCRIME:

Psychology can be used in cyber crime in a number of ways. Some of the ways psychology can
be used in cyber crime include:

● Social engineering10: Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into performing
actions or divulging confidential information. Cyber criminals may use psychological
tactics, such as trust, fear, or urgency, to trick people into clicking on malicious links,
sharing personal information, or giving access to sensitive data.

9
(2005) The Art of Intrusion: The Real Stories Behind the Exploits of Hackers, Intruders & Deceivers
10
https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/social-engineering-attack/

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 ● Phishing: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which attackers send emails,
texts, or other messages that appear to come from a reputable source, such as a bank, to
lure individuals into clicking on a link or providing login credentials. Cyber criminals
may use psychological tactics, such as urgency or authority, to create a sense of urgency
and get people to act quickly.
● Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying involves using technology to harass or intimidate
someone. Cyberbullies may use psychological tactics, such as humiliation, shaming, or
exclusion, to target their victims and undermine their confidence and self-esteem.
● Online radicalization: Online radicalization involves using the internet and social media
to recruit individuals into extremist ideologies or terrorist groups. Cyber criminals may
use psychological tactics, such as propaganda, peer pressure, or emotional appeals, to
influence vulnerable individuals and draw them into extremist activities.

Overall, psychology can play a significant role in cyber crime by helping cyber criminals to
manipulate people's behavior and emotions to achieve their malicious objectives. It is important
for individuals and organizations to be aware of these tactics and take steps to protect themselves
from cyber crime.

The Vile Media:

"If something is free, you’re the product."

- Richard Serra11

Social media is one of the important factors for cybercrime. Lack of security and untrustworthy
terms and conditions of social media ruins our life. You are the product, the company just
manipulates you. It is no secret that social media has drastically transformed the way we interact
with one another. However, its effects on our lives have been far from favorable. Research
suggests that social media can become an addiction, leading to anxiety, depression, and a deep
sense of isolation. Its insidious influence on our self-perception cannot be ignored either, as we

11
Richard Serra, interview - Talk with Charlie Rose (2001)

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constantly compare ourselves to others and crave validation through virtual likes and followers.
Furthermore, social media provides a fertile breeding ground for misinformation, cyberbullying,
and extremist views. We have to employ a cautious and restrained approach to social media
usage, and acknowledge the potential detrimental impact it may have on our mental well-being.
Don't let it control you!

CONCLUSION:
It is a fact universally acknowledged that the psychology of cybercriminals is a complex and
multifaceted matter. From financial gain to a desire for power, revenge, or recognition, the
motivations behind these criminal activities are varied and often murky. Research into this realm
has unveiled some common traits among cybercriminals: a lack of empathy, a tendency toward
risk-taking, and a high level of narcissism. Such characteristics may fuel their criminal activities,
driving them to pursue their objectives without regard for the potential consequences.
Furthermore, many cybercriminals have a history of antisocial behavior, including substance
abuse, criminal activity, and aggression. These elements of their past may further induce their
tendency towards criminal behavior, and their technical expertise can enable them to manipulate
individuals and systems with ease. The government should develop some intervention to the
people who seem to be engaging in criminal activities.By studying the psychology of
cybercriminals, we may develop more effective strategies to combat cybercrime, and in doing so,
protect individuals and organizations from the harmful effects of these notorious activities.