Cyber Crime
What is Cyber Crime?
No clear definition of cyber crime exists, but the term is usually taken to describe the use of the Internet or other new communications technologies as a tool to commit a crime – or, as has been said, to provide new ways to commit old crimes.
The Internet lends itself to being used for a wide range of criminal activities. This can include illegal pornography, racist or hate materials, financial fraud, intimidation or any other criminal activity carried out via the Internet. In Ireland what is unlawful offline is unlawful online. A combination of responses and the co-operation of all the stakeholders, at both national and international level - legislators, law enforcement, schools, child protection practitioners, parents and guardians - are essential. The primary focus of this Department’s cyber crime work is the use of the Internet for child pornography.
Combating illegal, harmful and predatory use of the Internet requires responses at national, EU and international levels. Ireland is fully committed to playing its part, at home and internationally.