Cybercrime Information, Facts, and Resources

• Buffer
• Tweet

What is Cybercrime?

Computer crime, also referred to as cybercrime, is any crime that uses a computer network and a computer. The definition of computer crime includes crimes where computers have the possibility of playing a key part in the creating of a crime. The key characteristic of computer crime is criminal mistreatment of the Internet. Issues revolving around this type of crime have become attractive and include, but are not limited to, child pornography, copyright infringement, identity theft and fraud. Globally, governments as well as non-state computer criminal activity continue to grow in importance and with it the ability to engage in such activities as financial theft, espionage, and other crimes that cross national borders. This relatively new form of computer crime is often called cyber warfare. The global legal system, for example the International World Court in The Hague, attempts to hold the perpetrators of computer crimes responsible for their actions.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is commonly used as a tool in the commission of identity theft and greatly facilitates internet fraud. Phishing is defined as fraudulent development of trying to obtain sensitive information including computer usernames, passwords, and credit card information by representing the criminal as a dependable unit in an electronic communication. Phishing is most often carried out by e-mail or instant messaging. These communications purportedly start at popular social websites, online payment processors, auction sites, or IT administrations that are normally used to attract unsuspecting public.

Phishing, an extremely prevalent and effective tool in the perpetration of computer crime, is being addressed in two ways: increasing social responses and technical responses to the problem of phishing. There has been greater emphasis on educating the average computer user to the dangers of phishing and how to avoid becoming a victim. Education may be effective, especially when it is accompanied by direct feedback. In a recent educational program held at West Point Academy, 80 percept of the 500 cadets responded initially to fake e-mails, and in response to these e-mails, revealed highly personal information. Following an extensive educational effort, this percentage dropped drastically. People are being encouraged to keep away from phishing endeavors by modifying or altering their browsing routines. For example, when an individual is contacted in regards to an account needing to be confirmed, people are advised to get in touch with the company from which the e-mail came from to check that it is a legitimate e-mail. The web address that a person knows as the company’s real website and should be typed into the browser’s address bar, rather than using hyperlinks.

What is the Economic Impact of Computer Crimes?

The economic cost of computer crimes is staggering. According to the American-based Computer Security Institute’s report, published in 2009, common losses due to security incidents equaled $234,244 for every respondent, Those interviewed in the survey were comprised of government agencies, corporations, medical institutions, financial institutions and other United States organizations. In January 2009, the Ponemon Institute (Ponemon Institute conducts independent research on privacy, data protection and information security policy.) accounted that the cost of cybercrime in United States companies rose by 38 percent between 2004 and 2008. In 2008, the average cost of an average incident of cybercrime rose to $6.65 million in contrast to the cost of an incident in 2004, which was $4.45 million. Overall, the Computer Protection Agency estimated that cybercrime cost American consumers $4.5 billion over the last two years. Globally, this figure reaches staggering proportions and cybercrime is being addressed by the United Nations as one of the leading problems in the ongoing global economic crisis and a key factor in impeding economic development in many Third World nations.

Who is affected by computer crimes?

Computer crimes encompasses a wide variety of activities that can affect anyone who is at the other end of the computer wire. There are two main types of computer crimes. One occurs when a computer network is designed to attack other computers or computer networks directly, and the other occurs when a computer network is employed to attack a target that is not another computer system, but is, for example, a power station or a form of communication. An example of the first type of computer crime would be when a code or virus is sent into a system to disable it or deny its ability to function. The other example is when a computer is used for cyber stalking, fraud, identity theft, or invasion of privacy. Computers can also be a primary source of information because a lot of individuals store important information like records and e-mails on their business or personal home computers.

Fraud can be committed by using the computer to alter bank records. For example, an employee uses an office computer to alter bank records to steal funds or make money available in an account that did not have the money previously. Fraud also takes place when an individual destroys, deletes, or alters data of a sensitive nature, such as anything that causes loss of property or freedom.

The transmission of what might be construed as obscene materials, such as child pornography or racist information, as well as materials that are considered blasphemous or politically subversive are also sub rosa in most quarters. Harassment of individuals, stalking or the transmission of threatening comments based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or nationality might be grounds for notifying appropriate police authorities for action.

Use of the Internet by drug dealers to facilitate sales and make illegal transfers of funds is another cybercrime that can affect anyone. Tracking the deliveries of illegal substances might involve the authorities as this type of criminality can be traced.

The use of computers for cyberterrorism must not be discounted as well. Anyone who surfs the Internet or has important information stored on their computer can fall victim. Terrorists have the ability to hack into sensitive websites to find leaks or holes whereby assaults might be launched against cities and persons. Computers themselves might be the instruments of attack by infiltrating websites of installations that provide power or protection, causing them to malfunction.

Computer crime is so prevalent that huge computer software companies have evolved to assure computer users that their computers remain immune to the threats of hacking, phishing, copyright infringement, child pornography and the more recent development of sophisticated malware software-related criminal behavior. Currently, a relatively high quality anti-virus/anti-malware system is offered simultaneously with the purchase of any computer and operating system.

Resources about Computer Crimes

US Department of Justice Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section
The FBI’s cyber mission is four-fold: first and foremost, to stop those behind the most serious computer intrusions and the spread of malicious code; second, to identify and thwart online sexual predators who use the Internet to meet and exploit children and to produce, possess, or share child pornography; third, to counteract operations that target U.S. intellectual property, endangering our national security and competitiveness; and fourth, to dismantle national and transnational organized criminal enterprises engaging in Internet fraud.
PDF Manual that examines the federal laws that relate to computer crimes

Resource by B.Matthews

I am a fun outgoing girl who loves to go to concerts and sit on the grass and read. My favorite books are those that make me think about life, love and how the world spins around no matter the troubles that you're going through.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids