User:Vtaylor/CIS2 Summer 2008/Computers and Crime

= Introduction = ''What is computer crime? What is identity theft? What is an online predator? What is auction fraud? What does a computer criminal look like versus a real criminal? Is there even a difference?''

These are the questions that our group is setting out to answer in this report. We will also take a look at the bigger picture of computer crime and how it is affecting our society. We do this with the intention of showing you that there is a need for change in our society, and at the end you will come into the light and see this for yourself as well.

= What is Computer Crime? = For the purposes of this assignment we will refer to computer crime as an action online that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state and that it is legally prohibited.

According to one website it is estimated that between 85 and 97 percent of all computer crimes go undetected. Less than ten percent of computer crimes are reported. Computer criminals are even less likely to be convicted because of the nature of computer crime. Computer crime is hard to prosecute because it is hard to determine accountability, ownership, and there may be jurisdictional issues involved.

The types of computer crime we will be looking at are:


 * /Identity Theft/
 * /Auction Fraud/
 * /Online Predators/
 * /Computer Crime Criminals/

= Conclusion = It is your duty as a member of our society to be aware of what is going on around you. Crime is a major societal problem that each and every one of us must come to terms with and face. Computer crime is on the rise and these criminals are getting away more often than not. It is time that we take a stand for justice and for our rights. We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our lives are being taken over, every time someone steals our identity. We are not being allowed the pursuit of happiness when our government sits by idly and does nothing. We must demand change and voice to our government that we are not happy and it is time for a change.

We have empowered you with the knowledge of what is happening all around us in our society. We have given you the tools to help in changing the system. Now it is up to you, the people, to make your voices be heard. Change is the only way we can battle these major societal issues of identity theft, internet auction fraud, and online predators.

= Project Roles = Maria Ward – Project Manager/Style Coordinator

Anamarie Williams – Team Coordinator/Recorder

Christine Do – Editor/Tech Wiz

Aravindh Dorai – Content Manager/Tech Wiz

= References =

= Individual Proposals = This is our brainstorming of where we wanted to head with our project.

Aravindh
'Teenagers often hack for fun but cause substantial damage, sometimes intentionally and other times by accident. How should these teenagers be punished if at all?'


 * Identity theft is a growing concern as more and more information about individuals is available online. How can we protect ourselves from being victimized by this crime and how should those who commit this crime be punished?


 * On a more severe level, computer technology is being used by high profile criminals and terrorists to commit more advanced and destructive crimes than ever. How do we prevent it from falling into the wrong hands?

Christine
'The objective is to inform and to open people's eyes to the crimes/criminals that exists on line. Sometimes being behind the computer is just as dangerous as being robbed at the bank, people don't realize the seriousness with on line crimes.'


 * Sometimes kids may feel safer in a virtual world but the virtual world is the least risky for pedophiles to fulfill their needs. How can we teach our kids "don't talk to strangers" with the virtual world? What else are children at risk for by just sitting at the computer?


 * The more advanced technology becomes, the more doors are open for criminals to commit and new crimes created. What kinds of crimes haven’t been committed on line that has in real life? How can we prevent existing crimes and new ones from happening?


 * Hacker-safe and ad aware programs are like the security guards of the virtual world yet identity theft and hacking of credit cards rates high in crime. What are we missing that will lower this crime rate? How can technology protect our identity and properties from itself?

Anamarie
'Internet Auction Fraud is a growing problem; it is the top ten online scams. When people buy a product or service and get something different or nothing at all is called Auction Fraud.'


 * Society is getting ripped off and losing money everyday with Internet Auction Fraud


 * What is the FBI doing to eliminate Auction Fraud?


 * What steps do we take to avoid Internet Auction Fraud?

Maria
'Computer Crime is on rise, and less than 5% of computer criminals are ever convicted. What does this say about our society? What are the good and bad affects that computer crime has on our society?'


 * Computer Criminals versus Real Criminals, which is the worse of the two, and a look at sentencing in the criminal justice system for each type of crime. Are we handling the sentencing of both types of criminals fairly?


 * What effect does computer crime have on the digital divide in society? Is computer crime contributing to why some people steer clear of technology?

Relocated

 * Identity Theft
 * Auction Fraud
 * Online Predators
 * Computer Crime Criminals