Impact of Technology on Human Behavior, the Subcultures, and the Role of Internet Growth

Cybercrime Essay
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Technological advancement plays a pivotal role in organizations and communities. It has changed how individuals communicate, especially with the advent of social networking sites, smartphones, and other sophisticated information-sharing tools. Technological advancements have come with a myriad of cyber-security concerns, thus requiring mitigation measures. This paper discusses the impact of technology on human behavior, the meaning of subcultures, and the role of internet growth in such respects. It also identifies online news articles related to cybercrime, digital evidence used, and the role of criminological theory in the committed crime. The paper's final portion discusses federal laws and other issues investigating the crime committed in the provided case scenario.
Part 1
Technology has significantly remodeled human behavior in the past 20 years. The ubiquity of technology, specifically smartphones, has affected the consumption of information and social interactions (Ajzen, 2020). Unlike in the past, people now indulge themselves in virtual relationships instead of physical ones. For example, different social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, have merged, and people get different perceptions of self-worth through clicks to share and like. Also, the introduction of streaming services like YouTube and Netflix has completely altered entertainment consumption. On-demand viewing has replaced traditional television schedules, changing attention spans and viewing habits. For instance, Binge-watching a whole season of a TV program at a go is now a norm, influencing how individuals use their leisure time. Technology acceptance significantly affects human behavior positively or negatively (Ajzen, 2020).
Subcultures imply distinct groups in a larger culture that share common values, interests, and behaviors. The tremendous growth of the internet has offered a global space and platforms for such distinct groups to connect and communicate, exceeding geographical constraints. The increase of the internet worldwide necessitates people to engage in social activities that revolve around media space interaction; in this case, subcultures are not an exception. Members of subcultures can locate like-minded people more quickly and conveniently, promoting a sense of belonging (Zolotukhin et al., 2020). For instance, the "fandom" subculture encompasses enthusiasts of TV series, movies, and books coming together in online forums to discuss and share their opinions and passion.
Part 2
Equifax data breach is a cybercrime in 2017 where Equifax, a credit reporting agency, suffered a significant data breach. In this case, hackers illegally accessed the personal and financial data of about 150 million people (Leonhardt, 2019). Such cybercrime involves data breach, which falls under data theft or cyber espionage. The investigation utilized digital evidence to track the hackers' activities in the Equifax network, like communication channels, log files depicting access, and data exfiltration patterns. The forensic analysis of data traffic and network logs helped point out the cybercriminals' techniques and the breach at large. Routine...