Psychological impact of cyber-crime on victims
摘要
The rapid proliferation of cyber-crime has far-reaching consequences, affecting individuals, organizations, and society at large. The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological impact of cyber threats on victims and their cognitive vulnerabilities. The vulnerability of older adults and individuals with intellectual disability (ID) to severe psychological impacts is also examined. The study also aims to understand how victims cope after being a victim of cyber-crime. The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature, industry reports, media reports, and academic articles to gather insights on the prevalence and nature of cyber-attacks, the motives of cyber-criminals, and the psychological consequences experienced by victims. Our study adhered to a specific timeline, encompassing research from 1998 to 2023. This 25-year span allowed to include contemporary findings and relevant insights. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-2020) guidelines as the framework for our data collection process (Page et al., 2021). Leveraging insights from prior systematic reviews on cyber-crime victimization, we conducted a comparative analysis of outcomes. After rigorous screening and filtering, our final dataset comprised 9900 research papers and 10 online reports and media articles. The study examined the psychological impact of cybercrime on victims. The study revealed that cybercrime leads to various negative psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and physical symptoms. Victims of cyber fraud reported feelings of shame, embarrassment, social isolation, and loss of self-esteem. Physical symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, and other manifestations of distress were also commonly reported. Older adults and individuals with intellectual disabilities were found to be particularly susceptible to cyber victimization, experiencing significant psychological consequences. However, effective coping strategies, such as seeking social support, engaging in enjoyable activities, and utilizing professional help, play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of cybercrime on victims. Further research is recommended to better understand and address the psychological impact of cybercrime, particularly among vulnerable populations. This study focused on reviewing existing literature and did not assess the long-term effects or effectiveness of specific interventions for cyber-attack victims. Future research should explore the long-term impacts and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for victims of cyber-attacks. The study highlights the importance of raising cybersecurity awareness and implementing preventive measures to protect older generation and individuals with intellectual disabilities from cyber victimization. It emphasizes the need for tailored support systems, including social support, counseling, and practical guidance, to help these individuals cope with the emotional impact of cyber fraud/crime. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing valuable insights into the psychological impact of cyber threats on victims. The emphasis on the vulnerability of older adults and individuals with intellectual disability and the need for effective interventions adds to the knowledge on cyber-crime/fraud and stresses the importance of support systems for victims. The study also acknowledges the limitations and calls for further research to explore the long-term effects and evaluate intervention effectiveness in addressing the psychological impact of cyber-attacks.