Confusion Metrics and Cyber Crime Cases

What is Cyber Crime?

Cybercrime is defined as a crime where a computer is the object of the crime or is used as a tool to commit an offense. A cybercriminal may use a device to access a user’s personal information, confidential business information, government information, or disable a device. It is also a cybercrime to sell or elicit the above information online.

Cybercrimes can generally be divided into two categories:

• Crimes that target networks or devices: Viruses, Malware, DoS Attacks.
• Crimes using devices to participate in criminal activities: Phishing Emails, Cyberstalking, Identity Theft.

Types of Cybercrime :

• DDoS Attacks
• Botnets
• Identity Theft
• Cyberstalking
• Social Engineering
• PUPs
• Phishing
• Prohibited/Illegal Content
• Exploit Kits
• Online Scams

History of Cybercrime:

The malicious tie to hacking was first documented in the 1970s when early computerized phones were becoming a target. Tech-savvy people known as “phreakers” found a way around paying for long distance calls through a series of codes. They were the first hackers, learning how to exploit the system by modifying hardware and software to steal long distance phone time. This made people realize that computer systems were vulnerable to criminal activity and the more complex systems became, the more susceptible they were to cybercrime.

Fast Forward to 1990, where a large project named Operation Sundevil was exposed. FBI agents confiscated 42 computers and over 20,000 floppy disks that were used by criminals for illegal credit card use and telephone services. This operation involved over 100 FBI agents and took two years to track down only a few of the suspects. However, it was seen as a great public relations effort, because it was a way to show hackers that they will be watched and prosecuted.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation was formed as a response to threats on public liberties that take place when law enforcement makes a mistake or participates in unnecessary activities to investigate a cybercrime. Their mission was to protect and defend consumers from unlawful prosecution. While helpful, it also opened the door for hacker loopholes and anonymous browsing where many criminals practice their illegal services.

Crime and cybercrime have become an increasingly large problem in our society, even with the criminal justice system in place. Both in the public web space and dark web, cybercriminals are highly skilled and are not easy to find. Read below to learn more about how to combat cybercrime through cyber law.

Prevention to fight Against Cyber Crimes:

It seems like in the modern age of technology, hackers are taking over our systems and no one is safe. The average dwell-time, or time it takes a company to detect a cyber breach, is more than 200 days. Most internet users are not dwelling on the fact that they may get hacked and many rarely change their credentials or update passwords. This leaves many people susceptible to cybercrime and it’s important to become informed. Educate yourself and others on the preventive measures you can take in order to protect yourself as an individual or as a business.

1. Become vigilant when browsing websites.

2. Flag and report suspicious emails.

3. Never click on unfamiliar links or ads.

4. Use a VPN whenever possible.

5. Ensure websites are safe before entering credentials.

6. Keep antivirus/application systems up to date.

7. Use strong passwords with 14+ characters.

Top Five Most Frequently Committed Cyber Crimes:

1. Online Impersonation

This crime is by far one of the most commonly committed cybercrimes in existence. Under Texas Penal Code § 33.07, it is a criminal act to use another person’s name, domain address, phone number or any other identifying information without consent for the purpose of making a recipient believe that a message is truly coming from the impersonated individual. Though it is common to hear about people who are pretending to be someone else on the internet, if a person uses someone else’s name or other identifying information on the internet without consent and for the purpose of causing harm or committing fraud, that is a crime.

2. Social Network Fraud

It is also a crime to create fake profiles or to send fake messages to other users on social media. If a user of social media creates a fake profile to impersonate another person, without the other person’s consent, that action could be criminal. But a crime has only truly been committed if the fake user has the purpose of causing harm, committing fraud, or intimidating or threatening someone with the fake profile or fake messages. It remains to be seen if merely “catfishing” someone rises to the level of a crime under this statute.

3. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying occurs when people use social media or the internet to intimidate, harass, threaten or belittle others. In Texas, cyber bullying is covered by several statutes. Some laws apply only to students, while others are applicable to everyone. In general, if a person or student uses the internet or any other form of electronic communication to threaten, harass or scare another person or student, this conduct may be a crime. Furthermore, such actions carry the possibility of civil liability as well.

4. Trafficking Passwords

Under the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, several computer crimes have also become the focus of federal law enforcement efforts. For example, under 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(6), it is a crime for a person to, knowingly and with intent to defraud, traffic passwords if they may affect interstate or foreign commerce. This criminalizes conduct as simple as stealing an Amazon or eBay password.

5. Cyber Extortion

Cyber extortion, known by the rather less interesting name of “threatening to damage a computer,” is just the high-tech variation of old-fashioned extortion. Under the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, it is a crime to threaten to damage someone’s computer in order to extort money, information or anything else of value from a person. This crime applies to cyber criminals who threaten to delete, shut down or damage computers or systems unless their demands are met. Extortionists frequently use computer viruses, malware or distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks to force their victims to comply.