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Computer and Internet-Related Crime |
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There are no precise,
reliable statistics on the amount of computer crime and the economic
loss to victims, partly because many of these crimes are apparently
not detected by victims, many of these crimes are never reported to
authorities, and partly because the losses are often difficult to
calculate. |
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Internet fraud takes
many forms. The Internet's promise of substantial consumer benefits
is coupled with the potential for fraud and deception. Fraud operators
are opportunists who are among the first to appreciate the potential
of a new technology. There is nothing new about Internet fraud, however,
the size and potential market, relative ease, low cost, and speed
with which a scam can be perpetrated has increased tremendously. |
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Nevertheless, in
this section we have posted some Tips for Avoiding Computer Crime,
which includes suggestions for increasing the security and reliability
of personal computers, as well as protection against cyber crime. |
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Causes of Computer
Crime |
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- Sharing Identification numbers and passwords
- Unauthorised access from remote location (hacking)
- Unauthorised access by non-authorised employee
- Security system by-passed
- Poor physical security
- Poor system security
- Abuse of legitimate access
- Viruses etc or other willful damage by disgruntled employee
or competitor
- Appropriate computer security changes not done when employees
with access leave or are transfered.
- Data files and listings not held under proper security
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Recommended Prevention
Measures |
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- Develop and Implement appropriate system failure procedures
- Shred computer listings after use
- Do not share Identification numbers and passwords
- Change passwords regularly
- Regularly monitor usage of dial-up facilities.
- Implement a system of controlling employees with access to data.
- Physical security of equipment and diskettes.
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Hacking, computerized fraud and other computer crimes |
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A
"hacker" is a dedicated programming expert who believes
in sharing his expertise and experiences with other hackers. A hacker
does not believe in vandalizing or maliciously destroying data, or
in stealing data of any kind. He may find your credit card number
stored there from buying online, or use the information gleaned from
your computer to use your ISP account for illegal activity, like distributing
child pornography
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How can I stop hackers from gaining access
to my computer? |
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- Only download or accept files from reliable sources.
- Use a firewall to block unauthorized access to your computer.
- Install a good virus scanner program and update virus information
files at least weekly
- Do not keep passwords, bank or financial account numbers, or
other personal and confidential information on your computer's
hard drive. Store this type of information on removable disks
(floppies or zip disks).
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The
Hijack |
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It is a relatively
new form of fraud unique to the Internet. Consumers are prompted to
download a purported "viewer program" to see computer images
for free. Once downloaded, the consumer's computer is "hijacked"
by the viewer program, which turns off the consumer's modem speakers,
disconnects the computer from the local Internet provider, dials an
international number and connects the consumer to a remote site. The
expensive international costs are charged to the consumer's telephone
bill until the telephone is turned off. |
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Child
Safety |
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- Place the computer in a centrally located area in your home
- not in a child's bedroom. This prevents "secret" communications
or access and also allows all members of the family to use it.
- Talk to your children about the Internet. Explain that it is
an excellent source of information, but some sites are inappropriate
and they are expected to stay away from these sites.
- Establish time frames for Internet access. This will encourage
your children to obtain information in a timely manner and discourage
aimless wandering.
- Keep an open line of communication with your children.
- Discuss their Internet experiences and guide them to sites that
are age-appropriate.
- Consider using software that can block or filter Internet sites
or certain words that may indicate inappropriate sites.
- In a chat room never give out any personal information including:
name, address, city, state, school attended, telephone number,
family names or other personal family information.
- Never respond to someone who wants to meet in person or send
photographs. Instruct your children to exit the chat room and
notify you immediately if this happens.
- Most importantly, if your child visits a particular chat room,
spend at least five or ten minutes monitoring the conversation
to see if it is appropriate.
- Consider purchasing computer software products that can help
you monitor and control your child's access to the Internet.
- Monitor your children's Internet activity by checking all of
the sites visited.
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Viruses |
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Simply
stated, a virus, Trojan or worm is a small program written to cause
harm to one or more computers or networks. A Virus, Worm or Trojan
can also be designed to retrieve information from your computer to
be delivered to an attacker for future use. For example credit card
information, passwords, and security access codes. |
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If
you have any of the following symptoms, your computer may be infected.
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- Does your computer suddenly take longer to start up?
- Do program sizes keep changing?
- Do you keep running out of disk space?
- Do you keep getting 32 bit error messages?
- Your computer won't boot up.
- File names are strange or keep changing.
- You can't access your hard drive without booting from a floppy
startup disk.
- Your computers CMOS settings keep changing - and you have a
new CMOS battery.
- Your computer is sending out emails that you didn't write.
- Strange unexplained things are happening with your computer;
e.g. the CD ROM opens and closes when no one is using the computer.
- Monitor your children's Internet activity by checking all of
the sites visited.
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How can I protect my computer against future
infections? |
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Install
and configure a good anti-virus program on your computer. Keep the
virus definition files up to date. Anti-virus software programs can
be configured to automatically check for new dat files (virus definitions)
and your anti-virus program should be setup to do this at least weekly.
Your anti-virus program should be configured to scan email, all files
and folders, boot sectors and all removable disks (floppy and zip
disks). If you receive an attachment or file via email, IRC, ICQ or
removable disk, that attachment should be scanned for viruses before
opening it. |
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Tips
to keep you safe online |
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- Never send money to an unsolicited e-mail or a posting you spotted
on the Web.
- Never agree to a meeting with someone who has posted a fabulous
offer. In-person meetings give the con artist a chance to turn
on high-pressure sales tactics or even rob you.
- If you are setting up an online identity for e-mail, be very
vague. Do not give out personal information in a profile.
- Contact your ISP or local law enforcement if you receive suspicious
or threatening e-mail.
- Be alert for any responses to e-mail that you don't believe
you have sent.
- Be alert to e-mail bearing a return address you recognize, but
with content that does not match the personality of the sender.
- Look carefully at message headers for discrepancies between
sender and provider.
- Acquire and use encryption software if you send e-mail containing
confidential or sensitive information.
- Web sites whose purposes are to commit fraud appear and disappear
quickly, making it difficult for them to be tracked. If you find
a suspicious Web site, print the screen and any correspondence.
Present this information when filing a complaint with your ISP
or Kolkata Police.
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