ABSTRACT
Parker (1998: 170) states “the only common factor among hackers is the use of personal computers and modems connecting them”. Despite this, research (including Parker’s own) indicates that cybercrime offenders possess some commonalities, and one of the most salient of these is gender, with the majority being men. Understanding why women are not only less likely to commit cybercrime offences, but also why some do, is useful when it comes to comprehending the nature of the overall problem. It is important that our understanding of offenders is based on empirical research, as it is noted that many romantic stereotypes abound, generated by the popular media. Margolis and Fisher (2002: 67) caution against continuing any misconceptions, or “geek mythology”, about computer enthusiasts.
