All over the world, societies rely on information and communication technologies (ICT). This is evident with the increase in the number of Internet users worldwide, from 300 million in 1999 to some 890 million in 2005. Because societies have become so dependent on ICT, they have become more vulnerable to attacks. In this letter from the Council of Europe, an overview is provided on the various types of cybercrime, such as offenses against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer data and systems, computer-related traditional crimes, content-related offenses, and offenses related to infringement of copyright and related rights. In addition, information is presented on cybercrime trends for the year 2004-2005, general hypotheses on the links between organized crime and cybercrime, profiles of cyber criminals, the ratification of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime (ETS 185) and the Council’s current strategy in fighting cybercrime which is carried out in close partnership with all member states, as well as non-European states and institutions. Notes