CJ240_Mid-Term Review (Short version without White-Collar Crime)_3.6.20221

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Cyber Crime and Cyber Terrorism

• Cybercrime Definition:

  • Cybercrime is described as a "computer-assisted crime" where computers play a supporting role in committing a crime.

  • Computer Crime: Focuses directly on harming computer technology; examples include hacking and DDoS attacks.

  • Legal Perspective: U.S. Department of Justice defines computer crime as any criminal law violation involving knowledge of computer technology.

  • Nature of Cybercrime: Involves causing physical or mental harm or committing extortion through networks and information technology (Back, 2018).

The Reality of Increased Cybervictimization

• Two major trends contributing to cybervictimization:

  • Increased usage of computers.

  • Increased access to technical information on creating viruses and hacking techniques.

The Wall's Categories of Cybercrime

• David Wall's Four-Category Typology:

  • Cybertrespass: Gaining unauthorized access to computer systems (hacking).

  • Cyberpornography: Involves the trading of sexually explicit materials online.

  • Cyberviolence: Represents acts of harm (actual or threatened) in the digital space, including bullying and hate crimes.

  • Cyberdeception: Involves acquisition through deceit in cyberspace, covering areas like fraud, identity theft, and digital piracy.

Examples of Cybercrime

• Cybertrespass: Unauthorized access to a university system or corporate database.

• Cyberdeception: Cyber piracy (stealing intellectual property), romance scams, and data theft.

• Cyberpornography: Broad definition including trading of images, videos, and sexual services online.

• Cyberviolence: Encompasses behaviors that result in emotional or physical harm.

Chapter 2: Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare

• Cyberterrorism Definition:

  • A politically or ideologically motivated attack against computer systems resulting in violence against civilian targets.

  • Examples include attacks leading to serious disruptions and bodily harm (UNODC, 2020).

• Cyber Warfare:

  • The use of technology to wage war against states, compromising critical infrastructure similar to physical warfare (UNODC, 2020; Maras, 2016).

Uses of the Internet for Terrorist Purposes (UNODC, 2012)

• Propaganda, financing, training, planning, execution, and cyberattacks.

Financing Terrorism

• Online methods include direct solicitation, e-commerce, and exploiting payment tools.

• Example: Younis Tsouli's case illustrates laundering through stolen credit cards for recruitment and propaganda.

Cyber Espionage

• Primary Tactics: Malware distribution, social engineering, spear phishing, and monitoring frequented websites (watering hole attacks).

Cyber Organized Crime

• Typologies based on online vs. offline operations:

  • Type 1: Groups primarily online.

  • Type 2: Hybrid groups that operate both online and offline.

Chapter 3: The Criminology of Computer Crime

• Theories:

  • Rational Choice Theory: Crime occurs when benefits outweigh the risks.

  • Routine Activities Theory: Crime occurs in the absence of capable guardians and presence of motivated offenders.

  • Deterrence Theory: The possibility of punishment deters crime; applicable to both general and specific deterrence.

• Agnew's General Strain Theory: Crime may result from stress or negative emotions.

• Akers’ Social Learning Theory: Crime is learned through associations with others who engage in it.

• Gottfredson and Hirschi’s Self-Control Theory: Low self-control correlates with higher likelihood of engaging in cybercrime.

Chapter 4: Hackers

• Motivations: Revenge, exposure, hacktivism, ego, monetary gain, and entertainment.

Chapter 5: Cyber Espionage and Cyber Organized Crime

• Industrial Espionage: Theft for commercial advantage by private entities.

• Economic Espionage: State-sponsored intelligence activity targeting U.S. interests.

Chapter 6: White-Collar Crimes

• Identity Theft: Significant increase due to technological advances, leading to numerous consumer fraud complaints.

• Internet Fraud Schemes: Include financial fraud, online auctions, and phishing, with multiple methods employed to deceive victims.