Computer fraud entails the use of a computer or computer system to execute a scheme or unlawful action. Intentional alteration and disablement of a computer are also computer frauds.
The three types of computer fraud are as follows:
1] Information Theft
Information theft occurs when data is stolen from a protected or private computer system, such as when a hacker unlawfully gains access to a state system to steal top-secret intelligence. This includes the theft of sensitive information and the computer-assisted copying of protected items including video games, movies, and music.
2] Service Theft
When a hacker uses a computer to gain access to websites or Internet connections that he did not pay for, this is known as theft of service. It might also entail breaking into long-distance systems with a computer in order to “steal” service for free calls. Theft of service is usually characterized as Internet fraud. Internet fraud, which is sometimes bundled in with computer fraud, refers to any strategy that defrauds a corporation or individual by using a Web site, chat room, email account, or all three. Offering a buyer nonexistent items, stealing cash from a bank or credit card account, or unlawfully utilizing access devices, such as those used by a paid news subscription model, are all examples of crimes. Denial of service, on the other hand, includes “mailbombing,” which is when someone tries to deactivate an email account by sending a large number of emails to its address.
3] Hacking
Hacking is defined as unauthorized access to a computer’s hardware system. Hackers can get passwords and destroy information, write programs to steal passwords, or even sift through trash to locate confidential information. To get simple access to computer systems, criminals may act as computer repairmen, or they may build and distribute hazardous computer viruses.
Handling Computer and Internet Hacking
To combat computer and Internet crimes, several task groups and organizations have been created. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a component of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was established, to track computer fraud and apprehend perpetrators. The National Cybercrime Training Partnership (NCTP) was established by the US Department of Justice to teach local, state, and federal authorities to detect and combat Internet crimes.
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is the most important federal anti-hacking law, prohibiting unapproved access to another person’s computer network. Even though the legislation was created to safeguard the computer systems of US government agencies and financial organizations, it has now been amended to cover almost every computer in the country.
Talk to Your Attorney
Both federal and state laws give safeguards and limits in the area of hacking. If you’ve been charged with hacking or have been a victim of hacking and have questions about how hacking laws and sanctions relate to your circumstance, you should see an attorney who is familiar with the law’s complexities. For assistance with this important matter, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney near you now. Autrey Law Firm has a team of excellent and experienced criminal defense lawyers.
