Repeat victimization by website defacement: An empirical test of premises from an environmental criminology perspective

Repeat victimization has been widely studied from the perspective of environmental criminology for several decades. During this period, criminologists have identified a set repeat premises that are observed many crimes; however, it is unknown whether these also valid cybercrime. In study we rely on more than 9 million Zone-H data records 2010 to 2017 test apply cybercrime website defacement. We show phenomenon in defaced cyber places (i.e. websites). particular, found repeats contributed little crime rates, occurred even years after original incident, they were committed disproportionately by prolific offenders, and few offenders returned victimize previous targets. The results suggest some traditional may be understanding events such as defacement, implying theories constitute useful framework analysis. implications terms criminological theory, prevention, limitations derived use discussed.