ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the theoretical background, nature and extent of digital crime; how it might differ from traditional forms of criminality. It explains that digital technology and digital forms of communication are increasingly important to individuals, to communities and to most sectors of society, including business, health and education. The chapter also examines the policing of digital crime in both the sense of digital crime and digital forensics. The digital crime is often defined by delineating the broad sweep into distinct typologies. Digital crime also often exploits the fact that online environments provide the means to disseminate information widely, repeatedly and cheaply. The Council of Europe's Convention on Cybercrime, also signed by the United States and several other non-European countries, adopts a definition of cybercrime which focuses primarily on the offences that should be included.
