Understanding and Preventing Computer Abuse and Cybercrime

Understanding Computer Abuse

Computer abuse involves improper or illegal actions using computers, demonstrating irresponsibility with technology. There are several common forms of computer abuse:

Spam

Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited or unwanted messages. While most commonly associated with email, the term applies to any electronically sent message that is not requested.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully others. This includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone.

Computer Sabotage

Computer sabotage is the intentional use of technology to damage computer systems, including both hardware and software.

Viruses

A computer virus is malicious software loaded onto a user's computer without their knowledge, performing harmful actions. Viruses require execution to spread. Common types include:

• Email attachments
• Macro viruses
• Boot sector viruses

Worms

A computer worm is a type of malware that replicates itself and spreads from computer to computer without human interaction. Worms do not need to attach to existing software to cause damage.

Trojan Horses

Trojan horses are a form of malware that misleads users about their true intent. They can act as logic bombs or time bombs. The name originates from the Ancient Greek story of the deceptive wooden horse used to infiltrate Troy.

Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is code written for unethical purposes, such as computer abuse, sabotage, or fraud. Once implanted or introduced into a target computer, malware can perform damaging actions. It can take various forms, including executable code, scripts, and active content.

Computer Fraud

Computer fraud involves using technology to gain illegal access to computer systems to steal sensitive personal information, such as passwords and bank account numbers.

Phishing

Phishing is a fraudulent practice where malicious individuals or groups impersonate trusted sources to scam users. They achieve this by sending emails or creating web pages designed to collect sensitive online information like bank details, credit card numbers, and login credentials.

Keyloggers

A keylogger is a tool, either software or a small hardware device, that records every keystroke made on a user's keyboard. This is done to collect sensitive information.