Cybercrime: Issues, Resolution, and Prevention

Cybercrime

ABSTRACT

The rapid growth of the Internet and computer technology over the past few years has led to the increase in new form of crime – cybercrime – throughout the world. Cybercrimes are responsible for the interruption of normal computer functions and have been known to cause the downfall of many companies. This research paper aims to discuss following aspects of cybercrimes: the definition, who they affect and some cybercrime prevention procedures. Broadly speaking, this report will display all necessary information helping people avoid being victims of cybercrimes.

Table of contents

ABSTRACT

1. Introduction

2. Discussion of findings

2.1. What are cybercrimes?

2.2. What are the effects of cybercrimes?

2.3.1. Potential economic impact

2.3.2. Impact on consumer trust

2.3.3. Impact on national security

2.3. How to prevent cybercrimes?

2. Conclusion

REFERENCES

1. Introduction

In our modern technology-driven age, keeping our personal information private is becoming more and more difficult. The truth is, highly classified details are becoming more available to public databases because we are more interconnected than ever. This creates a negative stigma that the use of technology is dangerous because practically anyone can access one’s private information for a price. Technology continues to promise to ease our daily lives, however, there are dangers of using technology. One of the main dangers of using technology is cybercrimes. Cybercrimes are any crimes that cause harm to another individuals by using a computer or a network ( ). While privacy and confidential information is lost or interrupted by unlawfully individuals, it gives to high profile crimes such as hacking, cyber terrorism, espionage, financial thief, spamming, cyber warfare and many more crimes ( ). The purpose of this research paper is to educate people who do not know about cybercrimes. Understanding the threat of cybercrimes is a very pertinent issue because technology holds a great impact on our society. Cybercrimes is growing every day because of the lack of knowledge to the general public of how they can protect themselves against such threats that cybercrimes poses. This research paper will discuss several aspects of cybercrimes including defining the term, who is affect and how to avoid cybercrimes.

2. Discussion of findings

3.1. What are cybercrimes?

Currently, when people talk about cybercrimes, they may not understand the extent of these crimes. Crime itself is defined as “engaging in conduct that has been outlawed by a particular society” ( ) and cybercrime is “a crime committed using a computer and the Internet to steal a person’s identity, sell contraband, stalk victims or disrupt operations with malevolent programs” ( Definition of cybercrimes). Moreover, there are some different views about the definition of cybercrimes. While Search Security defined cybercrimes as “ for any illegal activity that uses a computer as its primary means of commission. The U.S. Department of Justice expands the definition of cybercrime to include any illegal activity that uses a computer for the storage of evidence.” ( ), Bukisa considered it as “It is this access to the technical specifications of how the Internet and Internet technologies are implemented that allows an attacker to subvert systems, networks and the Internet for their own ends.” ( ) . Simply, cybercrimes are any type of illegal activity that makes use of the Internet, a private or public network and in-house computer system (www.wisegeek.com). This includes anything from downloading illegal files to stealing millions of dollars from online bank accounts. Additionally, cybercrimes also includes traditional crimes conducted through the Internet ( ). For example, hate crimes, telemarketing and Internet fraud are considered to be cybercrimes when the illegal activities are committed through the use of computer. Because cybercrimes cover such a broad scope of criminal activity, it is becoming more and more dangerous and may be the latest and the most complicated problem in the cyber world. While computers and the Internet have made our lives easier in many ways, it is unfortunate that people also use these technologies to take advantage of others. The modern thief can steal more with a computer than with a gun and tomorrow’s terrorist may be able to do more damage with a keyboard than with a bomb ( National Research Council, 2009). The potential harm of such crime to humanity can hardly be amplified. Cybercrimes can threaten to undermine the growth of future generation as also leave horrible scars and injure on the future generation if it is not controlled.

3.2. What are the effects of cybercrimes?

3.3.1. Potential economic impact

According to recent report, over 74 million people in the United States were victims of cybercrimes in 2010 (Norton Cybercrimes, 2011). These criminal acts resulted in $32 billion in direct financial losses. Futher analysis of this growing problem found that 69 percent of adults that are online have been victims of cybercrimes resulting in 1 million cybercrimes victims a day ( Heinz, 2002). As today’s consumer has become increasingly dependent on computers and networks, the risk of being subjected to cybercrimes is high. Additionally, some of the surveys conducted in the past have indicated as many as 80% of the companies’surveyed acknowledged financial losses due to computer breaches (Gold, 2003 ). As the economy increases its reliance on the Internet, it is exposed to all the threats posed by cybercrimes. Stagerringly, stocks are traded via Internet, bank transactions are performed via Internet and purchases are made using credit card via Internet. Therefore, productivity is probably at risk. Attacks from viruses will take productive time from user. Machines could perform more slowly, servers might be accessible, network might be jammed and so on. Such instances of attacks affect the overall productivity of user and organization (Schieck, 2001).

3.3.2. Impact on consumer trust

As cyber-attackers intrude into others’space and try to break the logic of the page, the end customer visiting the concerned page will be frustrated and discouraged to use the said site on a long term basis (Grand and David, 1998). The site in question is termed as the fraudulent, while the criminal masterminding the hidden attack is not recognized as the root cause. This makes the customer lose confidence in the said site and the Internet. According to reports sponsored by the Better Business Bureau Online,1999, over 80% of online shoppers cited security as a primary worry when conducting business over the Internet. About 75% of online shoppers terminate an online transaction when asked for the credit card information (Tendler, 2004). Consumer perception an be just as powerful or damaging as fact. Even the slightest perception of security risk or amateurish commerce seriously jeopardizes potential business.

3.3.3. Impact on national security

Modern military of most of the countries depends heavily on advanced computers. When intruders find systems that are easy to break into, they simply hack into the systems. Terrorists and criminals use information technology to plan and execute their criminal activities. The increase in international interaction and the wide spread usage of IT has facilitated the growth of crime and terrorism (Nutall,2001). Because of the advanced communication technology, people do not need to be in one country to organize such crime. Hence, terrorists and criminals can find security loopholes in the system and can function from unusual locales instead of their country of residence. Most of such crimes have been originating in developing countries (Meyer, 1998). The wide spread corruption in these countries fuel these security hacks. The Internet has helped fund such crimes by means of fraudulent bank transaction or money transfer. Greater encryption technology is helping these criminal activities.

3.3. How to prevent cybercrimes?

In this modern age, it seems almost impossible to avoid being a victim of cybercrime, with all the advancements in technology which make it easy for someone to perform cybercrimes. In light of this, there are some ways however to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrimes. Most internet browsers email service, and Internet providers provide a spam-blocking feature to prevent unwanted messages, such as fraudulent emails and phishing emails, from getting to people’s inbox (Miller and Ryan, 2003). However, every user must ensure to turn them on and do not turn them off whatsoever. Also, users must install and keep up-to-date antivirus programs, firewalls and spyware checkers. Along with keeping them up to date, users must make sure that they run the scans regularly. Another good precaution is to be weary of unknown websites, in particular those that ask for real name, mailing address, bank account number or social security number. Another way to avoid being a victim of cybercrimes is to avoid being susceptible to common frauds, such as inherences letter, letter asking for help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts, foreign lotteries, and phony sweepstakes (Associated Press, 1999, p.3). Especially, children should be educated about the proper use of the computer and internet and make sure to monitor their online activities at home and school. They should only have access to a computer located in a central area of your home and you should regularly check all browser and email activity. A wise thing to do is to use parental control software that limits the type of sites the user can gain access to. In schools, there should be restricted websites and other user restrictions that will help protect the user and entity from cybercrime. Likewise, companies should educate and have written policies governing the workplace pc and its network use to diminish the risk of cybercrime against the company (The Sunday Times, 2005, p.12). Overall, it is up to the users to take the necessary precautions to avoid potential cybercrimes.

3. Conclusion

Cybercrimes will always be an ongoing challenge despite the advancements being made by numerous countries. Consequently, there is a desperate need for countries on a global scale to come together and decide on what constitute a cybercrime and develop ways in which to persecute criminals across different countries. It is almost impossible to reduce cybercrimes from the cyber-space. Looking back on the many different acts passed, history can witness that no legislation has thrived in total elimination of cybercrime from the world. The only possible step is to make people aware of their rights and duties and further making more punishable laws which is more stringent to check them. Nevertheless, business should employ practices where their employees follow proper safety practices to ensure that integrity and confidentially of stored information is kept at all times to combat cybercrimes. Undoubtedly, cybercrimes are one of the biggest problems in cyber world so that it need to be obliterated as soon as possible.