Cyber Crime A Vital Issue

An Overview of Cyber Crime

Security online may not yet match the full number but with the popularity the internet is gaining every month, how long before we see numbers of this magnitude?

What are we to do to secure our identities?

Available to this point is:

• Offline companies that monitor our personal information; once a theft occurs, they are there to help you
• Never do any online activity; who intends to live in a cave in the middle east
• Keep your usernames, passwords, credit card numbers and other information hidden; near our computers written down so we don't forget
• Create a file on our computers that stores this information; don't leave your computer near a hacker
• Store information on an offsite backup hard drive or flash drive; home invasions take computers, flash drives are small and can seem to walk away with keys
• Biometric technology; new technology coming on the scene, don't know much about this?

Some interesting ways that a lot of people store personal information? It is as though the personal information isn't too important when passwords for important accounts are placed under a keyboard, tacked to the wall, written sticky pad paper tacked on a Kleenex box.

And these are down at the office where we may never know who is in the vicinity of our computers. If an office is large enough and we have had too much coffee, we are only away for a short time?

Think about your "safe" location. Think about your personal habits each day and how much you take for granted. As the economy continues to crawl, opportunistic people may find out how trusting they really are.

Personal identification should become more important to you today than ever before, even more so in the future. With internet security comes confidence because you know that identity authentication after the fact is a long and arduous task.

If you aren't aware, the director of the FBI was almost a victim of phishing recently, so if it could happen to him??? Listen, we all believe it happens to others; never to us. Same goes for the guy who was car jacked earlier today.

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How to run Business Online without Legal Troubles

Safe Business Online Without Troubles

Running online business frees you from many legal issues that can be a big headache when you operate a brick-and-mortar store. However, the rule is still there. And I'd like to share some important legal aspects every online business owners need to know.

Domain name

Domain name is the identity for your online presence. However it can also get you into trademark issues. One of the most common problem is the use of trademark names or brand names that violate intellectual property of another owner. For instance, you cannot use eBay in your domain names. There have been numerous cases for inclusion of 'ebay' in domain name that lead to legal actions. Usually this will effect a ceases and desist order, requiring you to abandon the domain name without any compensation. You ought to be very careful when you choose a domain name.

Copyright issues

One of the most important area in legal rules is the copyright violation. You have to know the related rights when you plan to use anything for your online business, including coding, images and videos. Many people use images from search engines for their own sites, but they may actually violate the law. In particular if you use an image from some stock images sites without authorization, you can be sued by these sites. When legal action is taken, it can cost you hundreds of bucks for illegal use.

Privacy policy

Personal privacy has become a top concern recently, especially in social networking sites when data can be spread very easily. You need to state clearly about your site's terms of service and privacy policy, so that visitors can understand the use of their information.

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Cyber Laws An Overview

Ten Important Things in Cyber Law

Cyber Law deals with the legal issues of the internet usage and all devices connected over the network, their proper use in order to prevent and control cyber crimes. Since the internet is all over the world the rules and regulations are a bit cloudy but we need to keep in mind a few things to ensure that we are using the internet in a proper and safe manner without causing any trouble.

1. The internet's jurisdictional boundaries may not be clear but the users are bound by the jurisdictional laws of the area in which they reside.

2. Do not access web sites that may not be approved by the jurisdiction in your area.

3. Do not post any offensive material that may cause an outrage among other internet users. Articles with an offensive tone on sensitive subjects like religion, politics etc., Uploading child pornography and other offensive materials is considered a crime in many countries and is punishable depending upon the country's laws.

4. Illegally downloading and distributing protected items like intellectual property and copyrighted articles is a cyber crime and those who are caught engaging in such acts can be prosecuted.

5. Duplication of content or software from CDs and DVDs that are copyrighted and distribution of these on the internet is punishable.

6. Stealing user information (phishing) and impersonating a user (ID theft) are serious cyber crimes.

7. Sending bulk messages that can affect networks and jam mailboxes is called spamming. The US introduced CAN-SPAM Act t in 2003 that allows prosecution of spammers.

8. Sending malicious codes such as viruses and worms through websites and e-mails is a cyber crime that can cause serious damages and anyone caught engaging in the act can be seriously punished.

9. Any site that allows users to download materials without acquiring proper permissions can be prosecuted or even be made to close down. Napster.com was shut down for similar reasons.

10. Illegal bank transactions through internet, to any dangerous individuals who might threaten national security is a cyber crime that will be considered as a breach of national security and those caught engaging in such acts can be punished by the government.

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Risk of Online Crime in Social Media Site

Online Crime from Social Media

Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook can end up posing a security risk for you. Here is an example how this can happen. A couple living in Arizona decided to go on a vacation. During their holiday, they kept posting updates about their travel and itinerary on Twitter so that friends and family would know what they were up to and when to expect them back.

However, the couple was in for a shock after they returned from their holiday. They house had been burgled and the burglars only stole his work-related equipment and not electronics, which normally stolen when homes are burglarized and robbed.

The wife thought that it was a random incident. But the husband had his doubts. He felt that the burglars had been too selective when robbing things from their home and he finally zeroed in on his posting on Twitter because they were very detailed and anyone would have been able to figure out their whereabouts. In addition, his profile on Twitter provided his work information and that may have been an attractive prospect for the burglars who realized after reading the posts that no one would be home.

This clearly shows that posting detailed information on social networking sites could actually cause you some risks.

Most people use social networking sites to keep in touch with friends and stay abreast of what is happening in their lives. That is why they do not think that there might be criminals lurking around. However, many people also use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook for professional contact besides personal ones and it is this group of people who need to wary as they are soft targets for people who want to rob and steal.

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Computer Crime Management Issue

Types of Crime Online

Computer crimes refer to the use of information technology for illegal purposes or for unauthorized access of a computer system where the intent is to damage, delete or alter the data present in the computer. Even identity thefts, misusing devices or electronic frauds are considered to be computer crimes.

Here is a list of different types of computer crimes.

• Hacking: This involves gaining unauthorized access into a computer system. Usually hackers are able to get through the security capabilities of a computer system and once they are in, they have unlimited access to confidential information and data stored in the computer. Today, hacking of IP addresses is very common as it allows the hacker to assume a false online identity and conduct criminal transactions without revealing his true identity.

• Phishing: This is a common computer crime is the United States. Here emails are sent to gullible users that make them believe that the emails are from authentic sites. The users are passed onto fake websites where they enter their confidential data like usernames, passwords and credit card details. The fake websites look and feel real and that is why many people get fooled into entering sensitive information.

• Computer Viruses: These are actually computer programs that are capable of replicating themselves and harming computer systems present in a network. These viruses work without the knowledge of the users and spread from one computer to another through the network, Internet or removable devices like CDs and USB drives. Writing computer virus is a criminal activity and is punishable by law.

• Identity Theft: This one of the most serious frauds in today's word. It involves stealing money and getting benefits by using an identity of another person. This also includes the use of someone else's credit card details to purchase good and services. It has been seen that blackmail and terrorism often employ identity theft.

• Cyberstalking: This is using the Internet to stalk a person just like someone world do in the real world. Here the stalker sends emails, spreads false information or issues threats using the Internet. Cyberstalking is also used to prey on unsuspecting children and women.

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