Portrait of the Computer Criminal

Abstract

This paper assesses the past, present and future of computer crime-from its origins a quarter century ago when dissident students bombed and burned computers, while greedy programmers altered programs so their checking accounts would be forever full; to the present day when the massive Internet is so thoroughly penetrated that no user can rely on the integrity of data. It presents the computer as the victim, environment and tool of the criminal. Then it characterizes the computer criminal and explores his/her motivation, opportunities, means and methods.