Although cybercrime impacts all sections in the society in one way or the other, as per recent trends, women are often found more vulnerable to certain types of cybercrimes. The increase in cybercrime against women is primarily due to a mix of multiple social, psychological, and technological factors.
👩💻 Whats behind The Increase In Cybercrime Against Women?
- Greater digital access: As more women gain access to technology, they’re also more exposed to both the opportunities and risks online.
- Financial pressures: Some are lured into cybercrime (like fraud, phishing, or social engineering) by promises of easy money.
- Gender-targeted recruitment: Some cybercriminal networks specifically prefer women for roles where they may be more vulenrable (e.g., romance scams, social engineering, insider threats).
- Anonymity online: The internet and social media lowers barriers to entry and allows anyone, regardless of gender, to be a victim of cybercrime from anywhere.
Women are often more vulnerable to certain types of cybercrimes, and that’s due to a mix of social, psychological, and technological factors.
Here’s a breakdown of why cybercrime against women is increasing and women are more vulnerable to the threat actors:
💔 1. Targeted Social Engineering
- Scammers often exploit emotional trust, especially in romance scams or fake friend requests.
- Women are sometimes targeted for emotional manipulation, like being told a fake story to get money or personal info.
📱 2. Higher Use of Social Media
- Statistically, women tend to spend more time on social platforms, which increases exposure to cyber risks like:
- Cyberstalking
- Harassment
- Catfishing
- Privacy breaches
- Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are common hunting grounds for scammers and abusers.
🕵️ 3. Gender-Based Harassment
- Women face more online harassment and threats, especially in gaming, forums, and comment sections.
- Revenge porn, doxxing, and threats of violence disproportionately target women.
👗 4. Fake Brands & Beauty Scams
- Cybercriminals exploit interests like fashion, wellness, or beauty with fake websites, phishing links, or discount scams.
- These are often marketed specifically to women, making them more vulnerable to falling for deals or giveaways.
💻 5. Limited Cyber Awareness
- In many regions, women have had less exposure to formal tech education, leading to:
- Weak passwords
- Less awareness of phishing/red flags
- Greater trust in online interactions
🌍 6. Cultural & Societal Factors
- In some countries, women have less control over their devices or digital identities, making it easier for:
- Partners to spy on them
- Family to restrict or manipulate online activity
- Abusers to use tech as a control tool
🔐 What Can Help?
- Digital literacy programs for women
- Strong privacy settings and password managers
- Reporting tools for harassment and scams
- Awareness campaigns focused on safe online behavior
If you are a victim of cybercrime against women or would like to learn more to stay secure Contact Us Now
