Module 12: Computer Crimes

What constitutes a computer crime?
There are just few instances, if any, where the person committing a computer crime is not aware that what he is doing is not permissible by law, and therefore illegal. The common denominator for acts of computer crime is the same as other crimes – intention to hurt others and willful desire to take advantage of others for personal gain.

Examples of Computer Crime
Filipino hacker
Source:http://www.crime-research.org/news/29.09.2005/1519/
Date: September 29, 2005
Original: inq7.net
By: ERWIN LEMUEL OLIVA

In this case the Filipino hacker penetrated the government portal “gov.ph” and other government websites causing the site to crash and denying the access to websites (also called denial of service). The hacker pleaded guilty, making this case to be the first Philippine hacking case to end in a conviction.

Man guilty of child porn case
Source:http://www.crime-research.org/news/27.09.2005/1516/
Date: September 27, 2005
Original: JS Online

A man faces 17 ½ years of prison term after pleading guilty of possession of child pornographic materials. He downloaded child pornography onto his home computer and argued that the material is for visual interest only.

Former pastor faces fraud charges
Source:http://www.crime-research.org/news/14.08.2005/1429/
Date: August 14, 2005
Original: WTHN.com

A pastor was charged with fraud involving an internet scam. He defrauded a credit union and used the money to take part in an e-mail scam in which operators pose as Nigerian government officials – with an intention of persuading the people to send them money and bank account numbers. The fraud victims were told in emails that they can earn money by helping to raise funds from Nigeria to the US. The pastor claimed that he himself is a victim of the scam.