Cyber crime. Say it out loud a few times. While it may sound mysterious and high tech, it is not always necessarily either. Depending on the aim of the criminal in question, the methods they employ can range from the very technical to the online equivalent of “hey, look over there!” while they steal your wallet. And crime itself is no mystery, no matter the format. Someone wants to do something that is against the law. Period. However, the reasons behind finding elaborate ways around various methods of Internet security protection are sometimes not so black and white. Here are some examples of cyber crimes and the grey areas in which they may live.

Theft for monetary gain is without a doubt the most common aim of cyber criminals. There is not much justification that can excuse it, but that is never enough to stop it from happening. Some cyber security circumvention specialists (i.e. thieves) steal financial or identification information to directly use it themselves, while others collect the information to sell to the people who will actually use it, as a kind of identity theft distribution hub.

Another kind of cyber breach that has received national and global attention recently is governmental cyber espionage. The Snowden NSA debacle has highlighted the issue of online security between nations, and whether or not it can ever be justified for one country to attack the Internet security protection of another. Interests of national security can make a compelling case, but only time will tell if the recent peacetime incursion will be considered a crime, per se.

And on the other end of that spectrum, we find the hacktivists. Hacktivism is the willful breach of Internet security protection for the intent of civil demonstration. These “Robin Hoods” of the Web often cite free speech, privacy, or excessive government intrusion as the impetus for their actions. While the intent of hacktivists is not in itself malicious, their actions can show ways to open the door. And criminals are, of course, always looking for a way in.

With a barrage of cyber concerns and cyber issues, it can be a challenge not only to stay safe online, but to feel safe online as well. Protecting yourself from online thieves is important, but the fear of many is that the cyber war between government agencies and hacktivists is bound to have collateral damage. No matter where the danger may come from, take every step possible to protect yourself online, so that you can browse (and breathe) more easily.