Cybercrime.org.za
The definition in SA Policy – National Cybersecurity Policy Framework for South Africa, 2012 (7 March 2012) states:
“Cybercrime” means illegal acts, the commission of which involves the use of information and communication technologies
The definition proposed in an amendment to SA’s first cybercrime law – Electronic Communications and Transactions Amendment Bill, 2012 (26 October 2012) states:
“cyber crime” means any criminal or other offence that is facilitated by or involves the use of electronic communications or information systems, including any device or the Internet or any one or more of them
SA’s current (updated) legislation – Cybercrimes Act, 2020 (1 June 2021) does not provide a definition for “cybercrime” but rather creates several offences which can be collectively referred to as “cybercrimes”.
The term Cybercrime, although widely used in the same context over the past two decades, does not have a precise or universal definition. Due to the varying scenarios and environments, it varies between jurisdictions and differs largely based on the perceptions of those involved.
The listing of definitions below are from some of the various popular encyclopedic, community and technical websites.
- Dictionary.com
Criminal activity or a crime that involves the Internet, a computer system, or computer technology. - Encyclopædia Britannica
Cybercrime, also called computer crime, the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends... - HG.org
Criminal activity that involves the use of a computer and the internet. These can be traditional criminal offenses committed with the use of a computer and newer crimes that originated with the advent of computers and networks. - LawBrain
Cybercrime encompasses criminal actions that target computer, internet, or network utility, damaging functionality or infiltrating systems and processes. - Oxford Dictionaries
Crime conducted via the Internet or some other computer network. - TechTerms.com
Cybercrime is criminal activity done using computers and the Internet. - TheFreeDictionary
Any use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends... - Webopedia
Cyber crime encompasses any criminal act dealing with computers and networks (called hacking). Additionally, cyber crime also includes traditional crimes conducted through the Internet. - Wikia – IT Law Wiki
Criminal activities that specifically target a computer or network for damage or infiltration and also refers to the use of computers as tools to conduct criminal activity. - Wikipedia
Computer crime, or cybercrime, refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. - wiseGEEK
Cybercrimes are generally defined as any type of illegal activity that makes use of the Internet, a private or public network, or an in-house computer system.
