RT Article
T1 The hybrid victim: Re-conceptualizing high-tech cyber victimization through actor-network theory:
JF European journal of criminology
VO 17
IS 4
SP 480
OP 497
A1 Wagen, Wytske van der
A2 Pieters, Wolter
LA English
YR 2020
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1727664426
AB Victims are often conceptualized as single, human and static entities with certain risk factors that make them more vulnerable and attractive for offenders. This framework is challenged by emerging forms of high-tech cybercrime, such as ransomware, botnets and virtual theft, in which the offender targets a composite of human, technical and virtual entities. This study critically assesses the current theorization of the cyber victim and offers an alternative approach. Drawing on actor-network theory and three empirical case studies, it analyses the cyber victim as a hybrid actor-network consisting of different entities that, together with the offender, make the victimization possible. The proposed concepts of victim composition, delegation and translation enable a more profound understanding of the hybrid and complex process of becoming a high-tech cyber victim. Keywords: cybercrime, cyber victimization, actor-network theory, botnet, ransomware, virtual theft
K1 Actor-network theory
K1 Botnet
K1 Cybercrime
K1 Cyber victimization
K1 Ransomware
K1 Virtual theft
DO 10.1177/1477370818812016