1. From the cases summarized above, explain what constitutes a computer crime.

a. The information is obtained unlawfully, i.e. one knowingly accesses or causes to be accessed or otherwise uses or causes to be used a computer system with the purpose of obtaining unauthorized computer services. Included here are the unauthorized display, use, disclosure or copy in any form of the data or information obtained unlawfully. When one alters, deletes, tampers, damages or destroys the data or information obtained unlawfully constitutes a computer crime.

b. There is interruption of computer services. One without authorization, knowingly or recklessly disrupts or degrades or causes the disruption or degradation of computer services, denies or causes the denial of computer services to authorized users.

In summary, if there are damages to or the value of the property or computer services, risks of serious physical injury to another person, unauthorized access, interception of data, computer-related espionage, forgery, fraud and sabotage, then these are considered as computer crime.

2. Discuss at least three other examples of computer crimes.

a. A more disturbing case of threats on the Internet involved University of Michigan student Jake Baker. Mr. Baker posted a story to the Internet entitled, APamela's Ordeal@ which graphically described the torture, rape, and murder of a woman who, coincidentally, had the same name as one of Baker's female classmates. Although Mr. Baker was jailed after his arrest on charges of violating 18 U.S.C. '875(c), the District Court eventually dismissed the charges.

There would be a unique identifier (e.g. middle initial, date of birth, address) that will distinguish APamela from Baker's female classmate. If the story described by Jake Blaker is true, i.e. with sufficient evidence and he is not referring to his female classmate, then the dismissal of the charges is valid.

b. E-mail version of the Computer Matching Institute fraud. Louis Rex Curtis advertised the AComputer Matching Institute in newspapers. Respondents to the advertisements would be mailed an application to a psychologically match them with the perfect partner. After mailing in the application -- with a fee -- the applicants would never hear from Curtis again. Such a scheme is perfectly suited to the Internet because of the younger demographics of Internet users.

This can be considered as a computer crime because Louis Rex Curtis just extorted money and deceived the respondents.

c. Theft by Computer. The computer manager at King Soopers stores in Colorado was charged with stealing $2 million by manipulating computer records at the stores while he was supposed to be fixing bugs in the system. Increasingly computers and high quality printers are used to counterfeit U.S. currency. Of the $40 million in counterfeited money seized annually in the U.S. about half is computer-generated.

These are computer crimes in the form of embezzlement and fraud.

d. Kevin Mitnick was charged with four counts of fraud for using a friend's office computer to break into the computer system at Digital Equipment Corporation. Mitnick copied software that had cost Digital $1 million to develop. He was also charged with electronically entering the Leeds University computer system in England and transferring his telephone charges to a non existent MCI long-distance account. Mitnick pleaded guilty to charges of penetrating business computer systems and causing millions of dollars in damage.

Kevin Mitnick is guilty of computer crime because of the damage done to Digital Equipment Corporation.

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