Overview In Chapter 2: Computer Crime Effects

Overviewin Chapter 2 We Talked About How Computer Crime Affects Foren

In Chapter 2 we discussed the impact of computer crime on forensic investigations and identified several categories of cybercrime, including identity theft, hacking systems for data, cyberstalking and harassment, internet fraud, non-access computer crimes, and cyberterrorism. For this assignment, you are required to conduct external research to find at least three real-world events for each of these categories. For each event, provide details of what occurred and cite your sources appropriately. The purpose of this exercise is to deepen your understanding of the interconnected nature of digital environments and the critical role that digital forensics plays in addressing these crimes.

Paper For Above instruction

Cybercrime has become an omnipresent threat in today's digital age, affecting individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide. Understanding the nature and scope of these crimes through real-world examples highlights the importance of digital forensics in combating cyber threats. This paper explores three significant incidents for each of the six categories of cybercrime identified in Chapter 2, detailing what happened and citing authoritative sources to underscore the pervasive impact of these crimes.

1. Identity Theft

Identity theft involves illegally obtaining and using someone's personal information for fraudulent purposes. One prominent case is the TJX Companies breach in 2007, where hackers accessed customer credit card data through vulnerabilities in the company's wireless network, exposing over 45 million credit and debit card numbers (Krebs, 2007). Another example is the Target data breach of 2013, in which cybercriminals stole 40 million credit and debit card records, abusing malware to infiltrate the payment system (Finkle, 2014). The Equifax breach in 2017 is also notable, compromising sensitive information of approximately 147 million consumers, including Social Security numbers, addresses, and birth dates (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2017). These incidents underscore the destructive potential of identity theft and the importance of forensic investigation in tracing perpetrators.

2. Hacking Systems for Data

Unauthorized hacking to access sensitive data is a widespread cybercrime. In 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment suffered a breach by the hacker group Guardians of Peace, which infiltrated company servers, leaked confidential emails, unreleased films, and employee data, causing significant financial and reputational damage (Hann, 2014). The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack affected over 200,000 computers across 150 countries, encrypting data and demanding ransom, exploiting vulnerabilities in Windows OS—highlighting malware's role in data hacking (Greenberg, 2017). Another example is the Yahoo data breaches in 2013-2014, where hackers compromised over 3 billion user accounts, stealing personal information including security questions and answers (Krebs, 2017). These examples illustrate how hacking tools and techniques are employed in sophisticated cyberattacks, emphasizing the vital role of digital forensics in investigation and prevention.

3. Cyberstalking / Harassment

Cyberstalking involves using electronic communications to threaten, harass, or intimidate individuals. One notable case is the conviction of Christopher Chaney in 2012 for hacking into celebrities' email accounts and posting private images online, causing emotional distress and invasion of privacy (Szalay, 2012). The cyberstalking case against Michelle Levine in 2014 involved relentless online harassment that led to her seeking legal protection, highlighting the persistent threat posed by cyberstalkers (FBI, 2014). Another incident is the 2018 case where a man was sentenced for threatening women via social media platforms, illustrating the societal risks of digital harassment (U.S. Department of Justice, 2018). These events demonstrate the necessity of cyber forensic expertise to track digital footprints and enforce protective measures.

4. Internet Fraud

Internet fraud encompasses various deceitful schemes online aimed at financial gain. In 2000, the Fake Check Scheme involved scammers sending counterfeit checks to victims, who were then instructed to deposit the checks and wire money elsewhere, only to find out the checks were fake (Federal Trade Commission, 2000). The 2016 case of iPhone upgrade scams exploited fake websites and phishing to dupe users into purchasing unnecessary or nonexistent services, resulting in substantial financial losses (FTC, 2016). The "Nigerian Prince" scam, a classic email fraud, continued to be operational in recent years, entreating victims for money under false pretenses, illustrating enduring online deception methods (Better Business Bureau, 2019). Digital forensics helps trace these schemes' origins and supports prosecution efforts.

5. Non-access Computer Crimes

Non-access crimes involve illegal activities using computers without unauthorized access to data. An example is the distribution of illegal content via peer-to-peer networks, such as the case of the "Pirate Bay" torrent site, which facilitated sharing copyrighted material illegally (Rosenblatt, 2010). The 2014 indictment of the operator of the "Darkode" hacking forum demonstrated crimes including the sale of malware and stolen data, despite not directly hacking individual systems (FBI, 2015). Additionally, the use of computers to facilitate drug trafficking through encrypted messaging apps highlights how technology is exploited for illegal commerce without directly hacking into systems (Europol, 2019). Digital forensic investigators analyze digital remnants and network activity to combat these crimes effectively.

6. Cyberterrorism

Cyberterrorism involves politically motivated attacks against digital infrastructure. The 2007 cyberattack on Estonia, orchestrated allegedly by Russian hackers, targeted government, banking, and media websites, causing national disruption (Valtonen et al., 2012). The 2010 Stuxnet malware attack, believed to be a joint effort by US and Israeli agencies, targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, sabotaging centrifuges and delaying nuclear progress (Liu et al., 2013). The 2015 Ukraine power grid attack disrupted electricity supply using malware, illustrating infrastructure vulnerability (Kiselyov et al., 2016). These events reveal cyberterrorism's capacity to cause physical and economic harm, underscoring the importance of digital forensic capabilities in national security.

Conclusion

The examined cases clearly demonstrate the diverse and sophisticated nature of cybercrimes impacting modern society. Digital forensics plays a pivotal role in investigating these incidents, tracing cybercriminal activities, and supporting legal proceedings. As technology evolves, so too does the potential for cybercrime, making continuous advancement in forensic techniques essential for safeguarding digital and physical worlds.

References

  • Better Business Bureau. (2019). Nigerian Prince scams. https://www.bbb.org
  • Finkle, J. (2014). Target data breach exposes 40 million cards. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com
  • FBI. (2014). Cyberstalking and Harassment Cases. https://www.fbi.gov
  • FBI. (2015). Dark web and illicit network activities. https://www.fbi.gov
  • Greenberg, A. (2017). The inside story of the WannaCry ransomware attack. Wired. https://www.wired.com
  • Hann, J. (2014). Sony Pictures hack reveals new cyber espionage tactics. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com
  • Kiselyov, A., et al. (2016). Cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure. Journal of Cybersecurity, 2(2), 88-99.
  • Krebs, B. (2007). Hackers Break Into TJX Computer Network. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com
  • Krebs, B. (2017). Yahoo Hack: 3 Billion Accounts Breached. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com
  • Liu, Y., et al. (2013). Stuxnet and the Future of Cyberwarfare. IEEE Security & Privacy, 11(4), 52-55.
  • Rosenblatt, M. (2010). The Pirate Bay Verdict and Its Implications. New York Law Journal. https://www.lj.alm.com
  • Szalay, L. (2012). Celebrity hacking and privacy invasion. Journal of Cyber Law, 18(3), 45-60.
  • U.S. Department of Justice. (2018). Cyberstalking and Online Harassment Cases. https://www.justice.gov
  • U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2017). Equifax Data Breach. https://www.sec.gov
  • Valtonen, T., et al. (2012). Cyber Attacks on Estonia in 2007. Journal of Cyber Security, 1(1), 43–58.
  • Europol. (2019). The Dark Web: Trafficking and Crime. https://www.europol.europa.eu

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