The effect of online ad campaigns on cybercrime

Does one ad a day keep cybercrime away? European law enforcement agencies have recently started using targeted online ad campaigns to raise awareness among potential cybercriminals and cut their pathway into cybercrime. These campaigns have become increasingly popular, but there is not much research on whether they actually work. In this talk we present the results of an evaluation of seven ad campaigns launched between 2021 and 2022 in six European countries (Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Portugal) to reduce DDoS attacks. We will discuss whether the campaigns work in the short term, what factors may influence their effect, and the implications for police and public policy.