Utilizing Computer Networks Phishing Scams

A phishing scam is a scheme that involves luring victims to fake Internet sites, often disguised as everyday social sites, popular banks, etc., in order to retrieve personal information from the victim. Sometimes, phishing scams might not involve fake sites, but instead might involve a person taking on a false identity. These impersonators may claim that they are there to help the victim gain profit, when really their intention is to exploit the victim and to take advantage of them financially.

Many times, phishing scams can cause serious consequences to the victim including financial loss, identity theft, and not being able to access websites that the victim would normally be able to log on to (i.e. a personal email, bank account, etc.).

One of the best ways to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam is to heed specific warning signs. For example, if one were to receive an e-mail from a bank he or she does not have an account with or an e-mail from his or her bank that sounds like a mistake, it would be best to call the bank directly rather than taking action online. This could be a clever phishing scam for personal information.

Another warning sign is when you receive an e-mail from an unknown person with a general beginning to the letter (for example: "Dear Friend" or "Dear Miss") or if the letter talks about any kind of financial transaction with an unknown source, it is most likely a phishing scam. Inside of many e-mail accounts, there may be an option within the browser where you can actually report e-mails as phishing scams.

The Anti-Phishing Working Group is an organization that is set up to combat phishing scams. It is the belief of this organization that, as the public becomes more and more aware of phishing scams, the practice of phishing scams will die out. Punishments for phishing scams can include jail time or fines.

An Overview of Utilizing Computer Networks

In the past few years, the number of computer crimes has risen due to the ease of crimes utilizing computers as a tool to commit unlawful acts. These computer crimes include computer fraud, phishing scams, identity theft, cyberstalking, and information/cyber warfare. Most of the time, these tactics are carried out in order to achieve some sort of financial, personal, political, or even social gain, even though the means are considered illegitimate.

Cyberstalking

Although many computer crimes involve the use of computers for money, some criminals have another kind of agenda. A good example of a computer crime that is usually committed for more personal reasons is cyberstalking. Cyberstalking is when a criminal becomes infatuated with an individual (or sometimes more than one person) and continually uses the computer as a way to harass the victim.

Harassment can include unwanted photos, e-mails, chatting, or the criminal may do or say something via the Internet that could potentially harm the victim(s). In order to avoid being stalked via the Internet, law enforcement suggests that you do not have an obvious username/password and do not be too liberal about giving out this information.

It is also recommended to stay away from anything that could be deemed as “suggestive” (this includes: usernames, pictures, e-mails, chatting, etc.). Also, when chatting, if anyone tends to make you feel uncomfortable during a chat session or says or does anything that could be considered harassment, block them and then immediately report them to your Internet service provider.

Phishing Scams

Another scam that is a regular occurrence viewed via the Internet is what is commonly referred to as a phishing scam. A phishing scam often involves the victim being lured to a false website or an impersonator that will try to gain the victim’s trust and somehow steal their personal information. Many times, the criminal’s intention involves the use of the victim’s information for the purpose of invading their funds. However, there are ways to avoid becoming a victim of phishing scams.

One course of action that can be taken includes reporting suspicious or unfamiliar e-mails. Many times, e-mail accounts have an option within the browser to report e-mails as phishing scams. Also, if you receive a suspicious e-mail from your bank, or an e-mail from any bank, make sure to call the bank directly rather than filling out information online as this may be a scam to access personal data (the same also goes for any kind of loan or even a credit agency).

Cyber Stalking

The act of stalking can be described as a constant unwanted pursuit of another individual. Cyber stalking is the same action, but with the use of a computer. Cyber stalking is considered to be a serious cybercrime. Many times, someone commits cyber stalking when he or she becomes fixated on one particular victim. Other times, the stalker can commit cyberstalking by stalking more than one victim at a time.

The stalker can use various ways on the Internet to contribute to his or her obsessive behavior. This includes: constantly trying to chat with someone who has expressed non-interest, sending unwanted materials (i.e. photos, e-mails, etc.), and anything that contains a harassing or threatening message or an action performed on the Internet that could bring harm to the stalker’s victim.

Unfortunately, because of the convenience and accessibility of the Internet, it becomes much easier to locate victims by collecting the victim’s phone number, address, and other various pieces of personal information, thus helping to enable cyberstalking. In the early 1990s, after the rise of Internet use, five women were murdered in the State of California as a direct result of cyberstalking. After this frightening chain of events, public awareness of cyberstalking had to be increased, including the serious repercussions that a victim could suffer.

Due to the increase of cyberstalking, penalties can range anywhere from a restraining order, to years of jail time depending on the State, the specific charges and the severity of the actions committed by the stalker.

So what can one do to avoid cyberstalking? When using the Internet, to avoid cyber stalking do not post anything that you would not wish anyone to see or that may be deemed as “suggestive”. This includes: photos, chats, or even user names. This will avoid attracting attention from any unwanted pursuers. If you are chatting with someone who starts to become aggressive or says anything that may make you uncomfortable, you should exit the program immediately and report them to your Internet service provider.

One of the perks of online chatting is that the conversation is documented and it is easier to monitor a particular user and thereby pinpoint cases of cyberstalking. There are also “safe sites” that encourage a no-harassment policy. These particular sites may be safer to browse and will probably take strong action against harassment claims.

How Are Computer Used in Network Fraud

With the frequent use of computers and the Internet, Internet fraud is a common problem that is becoming more and more rampant. Committing an act of fraud usually involves deceiving a third party for personal gain. Proceeding from that understanding, Internet fraud would mean deceiving, or perhaps stealing, by using the Internet as a tool. Contact a fraud lawyer to acquire legal advice and assistance.

A common occurrence of Internet fraud takes place when an outside party hacks into the victim's account and obtains personal information (i.e. credit card numbers, social security information, phone number, etc.). Many times, they will then use that information to pose as the victim in order to commit offenses or to purchase items and charge them to the victim's account. In order to do this, some perpetrators may use malware (malicious software) as a way to obtain another person's personal information from the Internet.

Other perpetrators will actually physically sit at a computer in order to gather the victim's personal data. In order to prevent falling victim to this kind of fraud, make sure to always log off of private accounts and be wary of using personal information over the Internet.

However, stealing information is not the only form of Internet fraud. Sending false e-mail information to frighten or make others feel threatened also falls into the category of Internet fraud. Many feel that this may just be a harmless prank, but this is also considered a Federal offense according to laws of cybercrimes in the United States.

Depending on the circumstance, cyberbullying under an alias can be considered a form of Internet fraud. The best thing to do if one were to fall victim to such a crime would be to immediately report the hostile e-mails or messages to the Internet service provider.

Another scenario that falls into the category of Internet fraud is that of online money schemes/scams. Many times they are advertised as services or jobs that ask for a small fee, but they end up taking large amounts of the victim’s money. Ways to avoid this kind of Internet fraud would include heavily researching companies that advertise on the Internet, avoid paying upfront fees (especially for your employment), and stay away from anything that deals with taking money orders.