There has been a significant increase in the use of the Internet in recent years, as a result of greater amounts of online information and knowledge, commerce, entertainment and social networking. According to Global Village (2014), in 2014, 40.7% of the world's population uses the Internet, up from 20% in 2007. However, as the rate of Internet usage increases, so does the rate of cybercrime, that is, crimes committed via the Internet. A report by Norton, an antivirus software maker, in 2012 found that about 431 million adults experience cybercrime every year in 24 countries. The report also found that 69% of adults have experienced cybercrime in their lifetime and that there has been a 3% increase in overall cybercrime since the 2010 survey. This essay will argue that legal access and illegal access to personal information has led to an increase in the number of crimes committed, both online and offline. Many cybercrimes, that is, crimes committed online, continue to thrive because people unintentionally or carelessly leave sensitive information online. Cybercriminals are provided with new areas to exploit and new areas of recruitment as a result of the proliferation of social networking sites (Rush et al., 2009). There are many types of computer crimes committed, including fraud and scamming, identity theft, and even hacking via computer viruses or malware. A significant number of people become victims of online frauds and scams due to lack of information about it and also due to the process of sharing personal information. Fraud and scams usually involve deception to make illicit gains, especially after gaining trust. Credit card fraud is estimated to have reached over £500 million in the UK alone......half the card......ts.com/emarketing.htm [Accessed 15 May 2014] • National White Collar Crime Center (2011). Criminal use of social media. [online]. Available at:[Accessed 15 May 2014].• Norton (2012). Cybercrime report. [online]. Available at: [Accessed May 16, 2014].• Rush H., et al. (2009). Online crime: cybercrime and illegal innovation. UK: Nesta.• Shaw E., (2013) How to avoid falling victim to online identity scammers. The Independent [online]. Available at: [Accessed May 21, 2014].• Wolak J., et al. (2009). Online “predators” and their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment. American psychologist, 2008;63, 116-118