Computer crime
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[edit] Introduction
Computer crime (also called cybercrime, e-crime, hi-tech crime and electronic crime) generally refers to criminal activity where a computer or network is the source, tool, target, or place of a crime. These categories are not exclusive and many activities can be characterized as falling in one or more category. Additionally, although the terms "computer crime" and "cybercrime" are more properly restricted to describing criminal activity in which the computer or network is a necessary part of the crime, these terms are also sometimes used to include traditional crimes, such as fraud, theft, blackmail, forgery, and embezzlement, in which computers or networks are used to facilitate the illicit activity. Cyber crime is also a major issue these days in the world as many people are hacking into computer systems.
[edit] Types of Computer Crimea
"Computer crime" can broadly be defined as criminal activity involving an information technology infrastructure, including illegal access (unauthorized access), illegal interception (by technical means of non-public transmissions of computer data to, from or within a computer system), data interference (unauthorized damaging, deletion, deterioration, alteration or suppression of computer data), systems interference (interfering with the functioning of a computer system by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing computer data), misuse of devices, forgery (ID theft), and electronic fraud.
Criminals may use the Internet for numerous purposes, including:
- Trading/sharing information (e.g., documents, photographs, movies, sound files, text and graphic files, and software programs).
- Concealing their identity.
- Assuming another identity (identity theft).
- Identifying and gathering information on victims.
- Communicating with co-conspirators.
- Distributing information or misinformation.
- Coordinating meetings, meeting sites, or parcel drops.
[edit] Frequently Used Federal Statutes
The following statutes are used most frequently by the FBI to investigate computer-related crimes:
- 18 U.S.C. §875 Interstate Communications: Including Threats, Kidnapping, Ransom, Extortion
- 18 U.S.C. §1029 Possession of Access Devices
- 18 U.S.C. §1030 Fraud and related activity in connection with computers
- 18 U.S.C. §1343 Fraud by wire, radio or television
- 18 U.S.C. §1361 Injury to Government Property
- 18 U.S.C. §1362 Government communication systems
- 18 U.S.C. §1831 Economic Espionage Act of 1996
- 18 U.S.C. §1832 Trade Secrets Act[1]
[edit] References
- ↑ Each state has different laws and procedures that pertain to the investigation and prosecution of computer crimes.
[edit] See also
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