The Internet Has Spiraled Out of Control: Crimes, Scams, Cyberbullying, Theft & Deception | HackerNoon

In the blink of an eye, the internet has evolved from a groundbreaking tool of knowledge, connectivity, and progress to a hotbed of crime, scams, cyberbullying, theft, fake news, unregulated content and fraud.

Once a beacon of promise, the net now feels like a lawless, chaotic wild west where dangerous predators roam free, thriving in the dark corners of the web. What happened? Where did things go so wrong?

Let’s start with the obvious: crime. From hacking rings to identity theft, cybercrime has exploded. Every day, thousands of people fall victim to criminal activities online. Hackers are no longer the lone wolves in their basements—they’re highly organized syndicates with deep pockets, professional tools, and no conscience.

The stakes have risen so high that no one is safe.

Personal data is sold on the black market like hotcakes, businesses are held ransom with ransomware attacks, and phishing schemes are more sophisticated than ever. These criminals know how to exploit every flaw, every weakness in the system, and they do so without fear of real consequence.

Then, there’s the growing plague of scams. Have you received an email recently offering you millions of dollars for helping a “rich billionaire” move money? How about a message from an overseas “prince” who just needs your bank details to transfer a fortune into your account?

Scams aren’t just isolated incidents anymore. They’re an everyday occurrence. From fake job offers to fraudulent investment schemes promising “too good to be true” returns, the internet is flooded with schemes designed to separate people from their hard-earned cash.

And the worst part? These scammers don’t even bother to hide their malicious intent anymore. Their deception is blatant, and platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even LinkedIn are rife with scam ads and fraudulent accounts.

But it doesn’t stop there—cyberbullying has become a pandemic of its own. Once a victim of bullying steps outside the walls of their home, they’re not safe anymore. In fact, they’re more vulnerable than ever.

Social media platforms, which should be spaces for self-expression and connection, have instead become breeding grounds for hate, cruelty, and harassment. Kids and adults alike are subjected to relentless online torment—often with no way to escape it.

The worst part? It’s hard to escape a situation that follows you everywhere. Cyberbullying doesn’t just stop at comments on a post. It’s personal attacks, death threats, stalking, and sometimes even the weaponization of personal information. It’s a toxic environment that’s turning people against each other, tearing apart communities, and ruining lives.

We also have theft—not the kind with masks and getaway cars, but the type that happens in broad daylight, digitally. Data breaches are a daily occurrence, affecting individuals and large corporations alike.

What’s more concerning is how these breaches are handled. It’s one thing to hear about the hack; it’s another to find out that your personal information—your passwords, your financial records, your private messages—have been stolen and are now in the hands of criminals.

And let’s not forget about the rise of digital theft through malware and ransomware attacks, where individuals, companies, and even governments are extorted for access to their own files. The sheer audacity of it is staggering. Theft, but with a 21st-century twist, where the victim may never even know what’s been taken until it’s too late.

And let’s not even get started on fake news. The internet has become a breeding ground for misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the deliberate distortion of truth. In an era where everyone can publish their “opinions” as fact, discerning what’s true from what’s false is harder than ever.

It doesn’t matter if it’s politics, health, science, or entertainment—the lines between fact and fiction are continuously blurred. Algorithms prioritize sensationalism over truth, ensuring that the loudest, most outrageous voices are heard the most. Meanwhile, responsible journalism gets buried under the noise, struggling to be seen.

The internet is now swarming with unregulated content fraud—you know, those shady articles and sites that have no real authority or credibility, but they somehow manage to climb to the top of search results. These are the websites selling counterfeit products, the ones offering misleading medical advice, or the ones convincing you that their miracle weight loss pills will change your life.

There are no rules anymore. Anyone can create anything and pass it off as truth. And because they’re so good at manipulating SEO algorithms and exploiting loopholes, these frauds go unchecked for far too long, costing unsuspecting victims their time, money, and sometimes even their health.

At this point, it’s clear: the internet has spiraled out of control. Where’s the accountability?

Where are the consequences for these criminals who operate with impunity? Why aren’t platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter stepping up to stop the flood of scams, harassment, and fraud that’s poisoning their platforms? Why do we continue to let these digital marketplaces run wild, knowing full well the destruction they’re causing to individuals and businesses alike?

Here’s an extensive list of various types of criminal activities that occur online:

1. Hacking Unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or data. Exploiting vulnerabilities in software or hardware. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to disrupt services. Credential stuffing (using stolen usernames and passwords).

2. Phishing Sending fraudulent emails that appear to be from legitimate sources to steal personal information like passwords and credit card details. Spear phishing (targeting specific individuals or organizations). Smishing (phishing through SMS/text messages). Vishing (phishing via phone calls).

3. Identity Theft Stealing personal information (e.g., name, social security number) to commit fraud. Using stolen identities to open fraudulent accounts, take out loans, or apply for credit cards. Creating fake identities to manipulate social media or access restricted information.

4. Ransomware Encrypting a victim’s data and demanding payment for decryption keys. Ransomware-as-a-service, where attackers sell or rent out ransomware tools. Targeting businesses, government agencies, and individuals for high-value ransom payments.

5. Malware Distribution Spreading malicious software like viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and trojans. Creating and distributing botnets to conduct further attacks or steal data. Ad fraud through malware that generates fraudulent ad clicks or impressions.

6. Online Scams Investment scams: Offering fake investment opportunities with promises of large returns. Romance scams: Fraudsters pretending to be in a romantic relationship to manipulate victims into sending money. Lottery scams: Claiming that a victim has won a lottery or sweepstakes but requires a fee to claim the prize. Tech support scams: Fraudsters pretending to be from tech companies, offering fake services to steal money or data. Fake charities: Scams targeting people’s goodwill by pretending to be a charitable cause.

7. Credit Card Fraud Using stolen credit card information for unauthorized purchases. Skimming credit card details using fake POS terminals or malicious apps. Account takeover to make fraudulent purchases. Carding (selling stolen credit card information).

8. Data Breaches Unauthorized access to and exfiltration of personal, financial, or sensitive data from companies or databases. Selling stolen data on the dark web. Leaking large datasets of personal or financial information for malicious use.

9. Spyware & Surveillance Installing software to track keystrokes, steal passwords, and gather sensitive information without the user’s knowledge. Using spyware to monitor user activities, such as location, browsing habits, or private communications. Remote surveillance through malicious apps or browser extensions.

10. Online Extortion Threatening to release private information or personal images unless a ransom is paid. “Sextortion” scams, where perpetrators threaten to release intimate or compromising images. Doxxing (publicly releasing private information with the intention of causing harm).

11. Social Engineering Manipulating people into revealing confidential information through deception, such as impersonating a trusted authority. Pretexting, where an attacker fabricates a scenario to steal information (e.g., pretending to be a colleague). Baiting, where victims are offered something appealing (like free software) to extract information or install malware.

12. Counterfeit Goods Sales Selling fake or counterfeit products online, such as pirated software, fake designer items, or pharmaceuticals. Using fraudulent online storefronts to trick consumers into purchasing subpar or dangerous items. Intellectual property theft through illegal distribution of pirated media.

13. Online Child Exploitation Distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or grooming minors online. Engaging in child sex trafficking through online platforms. Creating fake profiles to exploit vulnerable children for sexual exploitation or illicit content creation.

14. Cyberbullying Using the internet to harass, threaten, or bully individuals, especially on social media platforms. Posting mean or harmful comments, including racial slurs, threats of violence, or public shaming. Sending abusive or threatening text messages or social media posts. Online impersonation to damage a person’s reputation or cause emotional harm.

15. Fraudulent Online Transactions Conducting fake or deceptive sales on online marketplaces (e.g., eBay, Amazon) and not delivering the purchased goods. Auction fraud: Creating fake auctions or altering bids to trick people. Charging for services or products that are never provided (e.g., fake courses or certifications).

16. Drug Trafficking and Dark Web Markets Selling illegal drugs through online marketplaces or the dark web. Facilitating anonymous transactions using cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin) to avoid detection. Distributing synthetic drugs, controlled substances, or banned substances via encrypted communication platforms.

17. Illegal Gambling Operating or participating in online gambling platforms that are unregulated or illegal in certain jurisdictions. Running or accessing black-market online betting sites. Manipulating online gambling systems to rig games or exploit weaknesses.

18. Dark Web Illegal Activities Accessing or conducting illegal activities on the dark web, including the sale of illicit goods or services. Illegal arms trading, human trafficking, and selling stolen data through untraceable marketplaces. Anonymously buying and selling illegal goods or services using cryptocurrency.

19. Intellectual Property Theft Pirating movies, TV shows, music, software, or e-books. Selling pirated software, media, or counterfeit branded products. Reverse-engineering software or products for resale or illegal use. Trademark infringement via imitation brands or counterfeit websites.

20. Fake Reviews & Reputation Management Scams Posting fake positive reviews to manipulate consumer perception. Buying or selling fake product reviews on online marketplaces. Negative reviews intended to harm competitors or individuals for personal gain. Paying for fake social media followers or likes to appear more popular or credible.

21. Email Spoofing Forging email headers to make it appear as though an email is coming from a trusted source when it’s actually fraudulent. Sending out mass spam emails to solicit personal information or payments.

22. Viral Hoaxes Creating or spreading false information or rumors, causing panic, or manipulating public opinion. Spreading misleading or false health information, scams, and viral challenges.

23. Online Fraudulent Fundraising Setting up fake crowdfunding campaigns to steal money from donors. Creating fraudulent GoFundMe or Kickstarter campaigns. Misleading donors about the purpose or outcome of charitable donations.

24. Online Tax Fraud Filing false tax returns using stolen identities or fabricated information. Claiming false deductions or credits to maximize refunds. Participating in online schemes that exploit loopholes in tax laws.

25. Financial Fraud & Scams Ponzi schemes: Fraudulent investment schemes where returns are paid to earlier investors using new investors’ money. Forex and crypto scams: Fraudulent foreign exchange or cryptocurrency schemes that manipulate prices or trick victims into making false trades. Fake loan schemes, where criminals offer loans with unreasonable terms to steal personal information or deposit fees.

26. Botnet Attacks Using a network of infected devices (bots) to conduct massive cyberattacks or fraud (e.g., DDoS). Renting or selling botnets to others for illegal purposes. Using botnets to scrape data from websites or perform fraudulent activities like click fraud.

27. Human Trafficking and Exploitation Using online platforms to recruit or exploit victims of human trafficking. Offering services or selling people through online classifieds or social media platforms. Using the internet to facilitate the exploitation of children and adults for labor or sex.

28. Online Terrorism and Extremism Using the internet to recruit individuals into extremist organizations. Spreading extremist propaganda or content meant to incite violence. Planning and organizing terrorist activities using encrypted communication platforms.

29. Fake Job Postings Posting fraudulent job advertisements to gather personal information or money. Scamming job seekers by offering fake or non-existent employment opportunities. Using fake job offers to exploit applicants for personal gain or to steal identities.

30. Cyber Espionage Engaging in the theft of sensitive information from governments, corporations, or individuals. Employing hacking and surveillance tactics to gather trade secrets or national security information. Using espionage tools to spy on rival companies, political opponents, or foreign governments.

The internet is a tool, but it’s being used as a weapon, and the people wielding it aren’t held accountable.

The bottom line is simple: the internet is broken. The dream of a connected world full of opportunities, collaboration, and progress has been overshadowed by the nightmare of deception, fraud, and exploitation.

It’s time for real action. Time for regulation. Time for enforcement. Because if we don’t take control, the internet will continue to spiral into chaos, and the very thing that was supposed to unite us could very well be the thing that divides us forever.