Electronic Crime

Abstract

It is truly fi tting that Prentice-Hall would select Peter Grabosky to write a book on computer crime for its Masters Series in Criminology. Grabosky has emerged as one of the leading academicians in the area of computer crime. Through his numerous publications on the subject, he has provided insight into the types of computer-related crime, methodologies used by criminals who commit computer crime, and solutions to prevent future offending. His work moves well beyond the investigative domain of the law enforcement community to recognize the roles of prosecutorial and corrections agencies in addressing computer crime. Electronic Crime fi lls a void in the scholarly literature by offering a single introductory resource that addresses both the nature of and the criminal justice system ' s response to computer crime. Chapter One begins with a brief discussion of how computing and related networking technologies have changed our lives. Grabosky links this discussion to computer crime by calling attention to the capabilities computer technology afford society and how computers serve those with lawful and unlawful intentions. Chapter Two provides a brief history of computer crime. Here, Grabosky emphasizes new opportunities for crime based upon developments in computer technology. The differences between a hacker and a cracker are also explored, as is the evolution of computer crime legislation. Chapter Three examines the relationship between computer technology and crime and lays out a typology of computer crime. Grabosky categorizes computer crime by differentiating between conventional crimes that are committed with computer technology (e.g. extortion, stalking, and the production, dissemination of child pornography) and new crimes that are committed with computer technology (e.g. website defacement, denial-of-service attacks , ATM fraud, dissemination of malicious code). Chapter Three also contains a glossary of technical terms that are commonly used in the computer crime literature. Chapter Four lays out a theoretical framework to explain computer crime. Here, Grabosky uses routine activity theory as the basis for explaining why cybercrime occurs. He attributes the supply of both motivated offenders and suitable targets for victimization to an increasing Internet user population and familiarization with computer technology. Capable guardian-ship in cyberspace, as it pertains to routine activity theory, is discussed from the human (e.g. parents, employers, and system administrators) and technological (e.g. encryption, anti-virus, and intrusion detection programs) perspectives. Chapter Five reviews past victimization research in an attempt to get at the prevalence and impact of computer crime. Grabosky calls attention to some of the methodological diffi culties in estimating the prevalence of cybercrime and associated damages, including