ACR101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Harm Reduction, Financial Crimes, Phishing

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25 Jun 2018
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ACR101 Week 9
Cybercrime
Introduction
In 1993, the concept of cyber-crime was only starting to emerge as a criminological issue.
Back then, a laptop computer costing around $3000 would come with a black (or more
accurately grey) and white screen, would weigh about 7 kilograms, have a battery life of
around 40 minutes, could be connected with an optional cable to a fixed telephone line for
crude internet access and its 8MB hard-drive could operate basic word-processing software
and a reasonable golf program.
Today, a low-end smartphone has at least 8 times the memory, can fully access the world-
wide-web through WIFI or an expanded 3g mobile network infrastructure and can host
social networking programs such as Facebook and Twitter for no charge. In 10 years time,
many of these technologies are likely to be as redundant as the 5.25 inch or 3.5 inch floppy
disk, the zip drive, the Sony Walkman or the fixed wire telephone.
Leaving aside the speed of technological development, it is arguable whether the criminal
law is capable of dealing with many issues that are commonly defined as cyber-crime.
Moreover, there is a question as to whether the introduction of computers and digital
technology actually changes the essence of many crimes with a cyber component. Previous
topics in this unit have already alluded to these problems. Many conventional crimes, such
as domestic violence through online stalking and intimidation, or white-collar offending,
could be easier to commit with the aid of computerised or mobile technologies. Others,
such as street crime, could be more closely monitored or prevented through the installation
of CCTV cameras or the use of GPS tracking systems to monitor offenders.
However, the use and capabilities of new technologies to detect or commit crime is simply
one component of a more complex equation. This topic provides an introduction into the
complex elements of cyber-crime, mainly through a typology of different types of behaviour
that are classified under this heading. When working through the material in this topic, you
should consider what factors are missing from the discussion of this type of crime, and
whether the use of computers really alters the essence of many forms of cyber-crime that
are discussed in Chapter 12 of your prescribed text.
Defining and Classifying Cyber Crime
Your next reading commences with a caution regarding the capacity for conventional law
enforcement and justice agencies to adequately deal with cyber-crime. As with the problem
of defining crime more generally (see Week 2), cyber-crime is a broad term that
incorporates several types of harmful behaviour that aredirected against or caused by digital
technologies.
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Document Summary

In 1993, the concept of cyber-crime was only starting to emerge as a criminological issue. In 10 years time, many of these technologies are likely to be as redundant as the 5. 25 inch or 3. 5 inch floppy disk, the zip drive, the sony walkman or the fixed wire telephone. Leaving aside the speed of technological development, it is arguable whether the criminal law is capable of dealing with many issues that are commonly defined as cyber-crime. Moreover, there is a question as to whether the introduction of computers and digital technology actually changes the essence of many crimes with a cyber component. Previous topics in this unit have already alluded to these problems. Many conventional crimes, such as domestic violence through online stalking and intimidation, or white-collar offending, could be easier to commit with the aid of computerised or mobile technologies.

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