A new index ranking cybercrime threats by country has revealed that Russia is at the top of the list, with Ukraine and China following closely behind. The ‘World Cybercrime Index’ (WCI), published in the journal PLOS ONE, surveyed experts to identify hotspots for cybercrime activity.
The study, co-authored by Dr. Miranda Bruce from the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra, aims to help the public and private sectors focus their resources on key cybercrime hubs. Russia received the highest WCI score of 58.39, indicating a significant cybercrime threat, while Ukraine and China scored lower at 36.44 and 27.86, respectively.
India also made it onto the list, ranking 10th in cybercrime threat level. The study highlights a concerning trend where a small group of nations harbors a significant portion of the global cybercrime threat.
Dr. Bruce stated, “The research that underpins the Index will help remove the veil of anonymity around cybercriminal offenders, and we hope that it will aid the fight against the growing threat of profit-driven cybercrime.”
The survey involved 92 experts in cybercrime intelligence gathering and investigations from around the world. They identified the primary sources of cybercrime in each country and ranked them based on the impact, skill, and professionalism of their cybercriminal activity.
The study assessed five major categories of cybercrime, including technical products/services, attacks and extortion, data/identity theft, scams, and cashing out/money laundering. By monitoring these trends, early interventions could be made in at-risk countries before a serious cybercrime problem develops.