Computer Crimes

Module 11-13

1. What is computer crimes?

         Computer crime, or cybercrime, refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network^. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Netcrime refers, more precisely, to criminal exploitation of the Internet. Issues surrounding this type of crime have become high-profile, particularly those surrounding hacking,copyright infringement, child pornography, and child grooming. There are also problems of privacy when confidential information is lost or intercepted, lawfully or otherwise.

        On the global level, both governments and non-state actors continue to grow in importance, with the ability to engage in such activities as espionage, financial theft, and other cross-border crimes sometimes referred to as cyber warfare. The international legal system is attempting to hold actors accountable for their actions, with the International Criminal Courtamong the few addressing this threat.

2. Give an example of a computer crime not stated in the Computer Ethics blog (http://cs192computerethics.blogspot.com/)

        Cyberstalking

        A Glendale businessman stalked his ex-girlfriend using the GPS tracking device on a cell phone. He purchased a Nextel phone device that has a motion switch on it that turns itself on when it moves. As long as the device was on, it transmitted a signal every minute to the GPS satellite, which in turn sent the location information to a computer. The ex planted the phone underneath her car, paid for a service to send him the information and would log on to a website to monitor her location. The victim would suddenly ‘bump’ into him at the coffee shop, LAX, even the cemetery. She knew something was up — it wasn’t hard to realize as he was also phoning her 200 times a day — but police couldn’t help her. It was only when she called police after seeing him under her car that she got action (he was trying to change the cell phone battery).  

3. Visit this site. http://www.crime-research.org/news/09.07.2008/3443/
This is the site that features the first Hacking crime being filed in the Philippines.
Question: 
What is stated in section 33a of Republic Act 8792?

          Hacking or crackling with refers to unauthorized access into or interference in a computer system/server or information and communication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the computer or information and communications system, including the introduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting in the corruption, destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages or electronic documents shall be punished by a minimum fine of One Hundred Thousand pesos (P 100,000.00) and a maximum commensurate to the damage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six (6) months to three (3) years.

4. In Visayas State University, there is an office that deals with protecting the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of those who publish their intellectual output works. What is this office that caters with IPR concerns? Who is the head of this office?

         Office of the Director of Research and Extension (ODREx) headed by Dr. Othello Capuno.