What Is Cyber Crime?A cyber crime is a crime that is committed via the internet. It is hard to catch cyber criminals because they do not leave physical evidence. Furthermore, a cyber criminal can be committing crimes from anywhere in the world. Law enforcement officials are not yet adequately equipped to handle such criminal activity. What Are Some Examples of Cyber Crime?Cyber crime can take a variety of different forms. The more common ones are: - Cyber Stalking ¿ Cyber stalking occurs when a person harasses or threatens a victim through e-mails or chat rooms. Such behavior is frightening and at times can be very dangerous. States have begun to pass laws aimed directly at cyber stalkers (at least 7 states so far) since typical stalking laws do not apply.
- Cyber Terrorism ¿ Cyber terrorists engage in behavior which steals data and shuts down computers. For example, a disgruntled employee might commit cyber terrorism by shutting down the entire network of his/her formal employer. Cyber terrorists act to devastate instead of for personal gain.
- Cyber Theft ¿ Cyber thieves steal financial records, national security files, and other confidential or personal information. Often this information is used for identity fraud. A cyber theft is committed as long as the thief accesses a computer without authority and takes data.
What Are the Likely Consequences for Committing a Cyber Crime?Cyberspace is a new ¿world¿ where few laws have been made to fight criminal activity. However, people still get punished if they are caught for a cyber crime. Depending on the severity of the cyber crime, punishment can include: - Heavy fines
- Probation
- Restitution
- Community service
- Possible imprisonment
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
Cyber crimes are growing rapidly as internet use becomes more widespread. If you are a victim of a cyber crime, there are attorneys that specialize in getting compensation for cyber crime victims. If you were charged with a cyber crime, you should also contact an attorney to learn more about your rights and defenses. |
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