Shifting Trends in Cybercrime: A Comparative Study of Pre-, During-, and Post-COVID-19 Eras

Lucky Makharia; Ms. Priya Gupta

doi:10.69968/ijisem.2026v5Si1124-134

Authors

Lucky Makharia Student, Department of Commerce, St. Xavier’s College of Management & Technology, Patna
Ms. Priya Gupta Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, Jai Prakash University, Chapra, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, St. Xavier’s College of Management & Technology, Patna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69968/ijisem.2026v5Si1124-134

Keywords:

Cybercrime, COVID-19, VUCA World, Digital Awareness, Cybersecurity, Online Fraud, Post-Pandemic Trends, Comparative Study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic reflected a major global transformation in the digital landscape, reshaping the individuals, organisations, and governments interact with technology. This rapid digitalisation also led to a parallel surge in cybercrime. The present study analyses the levels and evolution of cybercrime across three phases — pre-COVID, during COVID, and post-COVID — while assessing the effectiveness of digital awareness initiatives in mitigating cyber threats. Before COVID-19 (2018–2019), the average reported cyberattacks remained around 350,000 cases per day, primarily involving phishing and data breaches. During the pandemic, the most crucial phase (i.e., 2020–2021), was when cybercrimes increased by nearly 300%, with ransomware attacks rising by 62%, and phishing emails accounting for over 90% of security breaches, according to the recent data by INTERPOL and WHO. In the post-pandemic period, where some relief was seen, and it was observed that in (2022–2024), cyber incidents declined to some extent by 15–20%, yet new threats such as cryptocurrency scams and AI-enabled fraud have emerged rapidly, demonstrating the adaptive nature of cybercriminals and the lack of knowledge and awareness among the victims. In today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world, cyber threats reflect the uncertainty and complexity of the accelerated digital transformation. The pandemic amplified this volatility by revealing critical weaknesses in Cybersecurity systems and user preparedness. This study is based on the primary data supported with secondary data from Top Institutions like the WHO & INTERPOL. This paper will help benefit the various policymakers, Cybersecurity professionals, and other researchers to analyse the changing cybercrime patterns and the effectiveness of awareness. It will also help organisations and individuals in order to strengthen their digital security strategies in a VUCA-driven world.

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