Important Facts About Cyber Crime
Cyber Crime Defined
Cyber crime, or computer crime, refers to any illegal action that involves a network or computer. In this sense, the network or computer may have been used to commit a crime or may be the target of a crime. In the latter scenario, a hacker or computer thief, for instance, may steal information that was stored on the targeted system.
Many times people may be confused as to the classification of what constitutes cyber crime. Although this classification is somewhat confusing, due to the relative novelty field or lack of tangible nature, cyber crime refers to any illegal action that is committed through an electronic-based medium or targets a computer-based platform.
When debating what is cyber crime, you must evaluate whether an illegal action was committed through the use of or on a computer. Cyber Law, which may be classified as “Computer Law”, is considered to be one of the most recently-developed legal fields as a result of the ongoing advent of computer-based technology.
The presence of cyber crimes relies heavily on the Internet and online activity, and as a result, regulations and oversight of this type of activity has been expressed in the spectrum of Cyber Law. Cyber Law is a fairly expansive legal field that consists of a variety of avenues and jurisdictions, including the ethical and moral use of the Internet for lawful and legal purposes.
Types of Cyber Crimes
Identity Theft is the criminal act of deceptively assuming the identity of another individual without his or her expressed consent. Those who commit identity theft do so with the intent of committing a crime. Fraudulent and illicit obtainment of personal information through the usage of unsecured websites can be prosecuted through Cyber Law.
Hacking is the unlawful entry into the computer terminal, database, or digital record system belonging to another individual. Hacking is conducted with the intent to commit a crime.
Computer Viruses
Within the scope of Cyber Law, a computer virus is a program created to infiltrate a computer terminal belonging to another individual with the intent to cause damage, harm, and destruction of virtual property.
Spyware are computer programs facilitating the unlawful collection of data, allowing individuals the illicit access to the personal and private information belonging to another individual.
Phishing is a criminal act of fraud involving the illegal and unlawful attempt of to obtain restricted, unauthorized, and privileged information through means of fraudulent and communicative requests. Spam is defined as a digitally-based criminal instrument, which involves the unsolicited transmission of electronic communication with intent of committing fraud.
Copyright Law and Cyber Law
Cyber Law prohibits the use of Bit Torrent technology, Peer-to-Peer network file-sharing, and any other means of the unlawful, unauthorized transmission of digital, copyrighted media and intellectual property:
Cyber Law defines traditional file-sharing programs as a means to circulate complete digital media files through digital transmission.
Cyber Law defines Bit Torrent and Peer-to-Peer file-sharing as the collective, segmented transmission of digital media through its server(s).
Sex Crimes and Cyber Law
Online Sex Crimes in the scope of Cyber Law are defined as the participation or engagement in sexually-predatory or sexually-exploitative behavior through the facilitation of the Internet, which may include:
The ownership, transmission, or receipt of illicit and illegal pornography, ranging from bestiality to child pornography.
The solicitation of minors or those below the age of consent to participate in sexual activity. This can range from physical sex crimes to virtual sex crimes.
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