Criminal profiling is both an art and a science, knowing what types of people mostly commit unambiguous types of criminal offenses. Law Enforcement and Information Technology professionals need to work together to control this growing problem: Cybercrime and the individuals behind it.

Full Article

This paper examines the ethical and legal implications of private sector "hack back" operations in response to cyberattacks. With the Sony incident and the Colonial Pipeline Company incident as the backdrop, we raise issues of cyber defense versus cyber vigilantism. The paper includes discussion of state-sponsored attacks, ransomware, and the societal impacts that result. We discuss the legal aspects of technology in a global context. In the context of cyberattacks, the concept of self-defense raises questions about whether hack back operations can be considered a legitimate form of protection against harm caused by cyberattacks. We address the classification of hack back as a cyber-vigilante action, where individuals or organizations take justice into their own hands without legal authority. We recognize that successful hack back actions require expertise and attribution. Thus, questions arise: Does the victim possess the necessary technical expertise to conduct hack-back operations effectively and safely? Moreover, can the victim, as a practical matter, hack back with a certainty that no uninvolved person is affected?

Full Article

We often look to technology to solve cybersecurity problems, but what if the real drivers of online risk are emotional and social in nature? This presentation explores how emotional validation, peer norms, and social pressures shape what users share online, often at the expense of their digital safety. Drawing from a qualitative dissertation study on cyberpsychology and user behavior, this research focuses on how adult social media users navigate online identity, connection, and risk. Interviews with 63 participants revealed three key themes: (1) the emotional reward of social affirmation as a motivator for sharing; (2) peer pressure and group norms overriding privacy concerns; and (3) internal conflicts between digital safety and maintaining an online presence. These patterns suggest that users often know the risks but choose connection and visibility over caution. These insights represent one thematic aspect of a larger dissertation study and intentionally exclude data on cybersecurity risk perception and protective actions, which are being developed for peer-reviewed publication. By focusing on emotional drivers and social influence, this work contributes to interdisciplinary conversations on user behavior, cyberpsychology, and digital well-being, and recommends practical implications for social media platform design, cybersecurity education, and digital culture.

Full Article