Cybercrime During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

2The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Crisis and the Evolution of Cybercrime in the United States and Canada

2.1. Introduction

The appearance and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the outbreak of Covid-19 in China and around the world between 2019 and 2022 has transformed living, working and interpersonal relationship habits. This pandemic has even been described as a great accelerator of social and digital transformations [PET 21]. The sanitary measures imposed by governments and the first lockdowns, which can be described as sudden, affected billions of people worldwide [HOS 22]. This crisis generated unprecedented social transformations, among which lockdowns and social distancing policies were the most striking examples. Many societies were affected by a widespread and forced shift toward teleworking, online exchanges and dependence on remote government and healthcare services, which resulted in a significant increase in unemployment. The shift of economic activities from the offices in the cities to private residences and the poorly protected networks of individuals further exposed millions of individuals to cyberspace risks and threats [LAL 21].

In a report published in August 2020, Interpol warned:

With organizations and businesses rapidly deploying remote systems and networks to support staff working from home, criminals are also taking advantage of increased security vulnerabilities to steal data, generate profits and cause disruption [INT 20b, p. 4].

These major social ...