Computer Crime
A computer crime is generally defined as one that involves the use of computers and software for illegal purposes. This doesn’t mean that all the crimes are new types of crime. On the contrary, many of these crimes, such as embezzlement (盗用)of funds, the alteration of records, theft, vandalism (破坏行为), sabotage (阴谋破坏), and terrorism, can be committed without a computer. But with a computer, these offenses can be carried out more quickly and with less chance that the person responsible for the crime will be discovered.
Computer crimes are on the rise and have been for the last twelve years. The British Crime Survey in 2002 and 2003 showed that 18% of households with internet access said their home computer had been affected by a virus. This had increased to 27% in 2003 and 2004. One-third said the virus had damaged their computer. The biennial Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Security Breaches survey reports that 62% of UK businesses had a computer security incident in the 2006. These statistics may underestimate the real situation as many organizations or individuals may be unaware that the security of their computer has been compromised. Just how much these computer crimes cost the American public is in dispute, but estimates range from $3 billion to $5 billion annually. Even the FBI, which attempts to keep track of the growth or decline of all kinds of crimes, is unable to say precisely how large a loss is involved; however, it estimates that the average take from a company hit by computer crime is $ 600,000. A number of reasons are given for the increase in computer crime:

• (A) more computers in use and, thus, more people who are familiar with basic computer operation;
• (B) more computers tied together in satellite and other data-transmission networks; and
• (C) the easy access of microcomputers to huge mainframe data bases.
  The criminal
  Movies and newspaper stories might lead us to believe that most computer crimes are committed by age "hackers"—brilliant and basically good children who let their imagination and technical genius get them into trouble. But a realistic look at the crimes reveals that the offender is likely to be an employee of the firm against which the crime has been committed, i. e., an "insider".
  Targets of computer crime
  Some attacks do not have a specific target. However, attacks against specific computers or groups of computers are becoming more common. Home computer users, organizations with large networks of computers, or entire infrastructures may be targeted. Attackers using computers may also attempt to damage the functioning of the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) which includes emergency services, telecommunications, energy distribution and finance, all of which rely on IT. Many CNI systems which were once isolated are now connected to the internet, increasing their vulnerability.
  There has been speculation over the prospect of terrorists using electronic attacks to target computer systems and networks. According to the National Infrastructure Security Coordination Centre (NISCC) , the probability of terrorists carrying out an electronic attack against the CNI is currently low compared with other risks such as using explosive devices.
  Difficulty of detection and prion
  Given the kind of person who commits a computer crime and the environment in which the crime occurs, it is often difficult to detect who the criminal is.
  First of all, the crime may be so complex that months or years go by before anyone discovers it.
  Second, once the crime has been revealed, it is not easy to find a clear trail of evidence that leads back to the guilty party. After all, looking for "weapons" or fingerprints does not occur as it might in the investigation of more conventional crimes.
  Third, there are usually no witnesses to the computer crime, even though it may be taking place in a room filled with people. Who is to say if the person at the next terminal, calmly keying in data, is doing the company’s work or committing a criminal act
  Fourth, not enough people in management and law enforcement know enough about computer technology to pr the crimes. Authorities have to be familiar with the computer’s capabilities within a given situation to guard against its misuses. In some large cities, such as Los Angeles, police departments have set up specially trained computer crime units.
  But even when an offender is caught, the investigators, attorneys, judges, or juries may find the alleged crime too complicated and perplexing to handle. More attorneys are specializing in computer law and studying the computer’s potential for misuse.
  After a computer crime has been discovered, many companies do not report it or prosecute the person responsible. A company may not announce the crime out of fear that the public will find out the weaknesses of its computer system and lose confidence in its organization. Banks, credit card companies, and investment firms are especially sensitive about revealing their vulnerabilities because they rely heavily on customer trust.
  To avoid public attention, cautious companies will often settle cases of computer tampering out of court. And if cases do go to trial and the offenders are convicted, they may be punished only by a fine or light sentence because the judge or jury isn’t fully trained to understand the nature and seriousness of the crime.
  Not all companies are timid in apprehending computer criminals. For example, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company decided it had to get tough on violators. So when the company discovered that one of its computer technicians had embezzled $200,000 by entering false benefit claims, it presented its findings to the state’s attorney and aided in the prosecution of the technician. The technician was found guilty and sentenced to prison, not just for the computer misuse, but also for grand theft and insurance fraud. Connecticut General now has a policy of reporting all incidents of theft or fraud, no matter how small.
  Criminals have adapted the advancements of computer technology to further their own illegal activities. Unfortunately, their actions have far out-paced the ability of police to respond effectively. Protocols must be developed for law enforcement that addresses the various categories of computer crime. Investigators must know the materials to search and seize, the electronic evidence to recover, and the chain of custody to maintain. Without question, law enforcement must be better prepared to deal with the many aspects of computer-related crimes and the techno-criminals who commit them.

Computer CrimeThe criminalTargets of computer crimeDifficulty of detection and prionBut even when a computer criminal is caught, people involved in the case may find the alleged crime ______.