ACT 12-1 Computer Crimes

Computer Crime

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

Computer crimes are deliberate actions to steal, damage, or destroy computer data without authorization, as well as accessing a computer system and/or account without authorization. These unethical acts become criminal acts as it violates existing laws in the juridical area where it was committed.

According to study, the frequency of this crime is 40 times greater compared with classical crime, and even 90% remains practically undiscovered because the detection and producing evidence for this crime is exceptionally difficult. This is also why some of the cases mentioned in the handbook took months, even years before discovery and conviction.

Computer crimes are manifested in the ff:

· computer trickery (spamming case)
· financial theft and misuse (credit card/stock fraud)
· forgery of data and documents (stock fraud/hate and vengeance case)
· making and use of computer viruses (case of Melissa virus)
· computer sabotage and espionage (hacking by a Boston man)
· hackership (hacking by a Boston man/ hate and vengeance case)

References:
granite.cyg.net/~jblackmo/diglib/glos.html
www.dataprotection2003.info/

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Three Example of Computer Crime

1. Disaster Fraud

Disaster fraud is defined as an activity with the purpose to defraud individuals or the government after a natural or man-made catastrophe. Some common examples include unscrupulous operators who persuade disaster fraud victims to claim more damages than actually occurred. A computer-related disaster fraud is the building of websites indicating bank accounts where donations to disaster victims like the 9/11 attack may be deposited.

Disaster fraud used to be a classic crime but criminals who perpetrate these crimes realize the power and advantage of computers and start using them as helping device when committing classic crimes. Who knows one day, the same scheme may be used for disasters/typhoons in the Philippines.

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2. Cyberstalking

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There is no universally accepted definition of cyberstalking, yet the term tends to refer to one individual harassing another individual on the Internet using various modes of transmission such as electronic mail, chat rooms, newsgroups, mail exploders, and the World Wide Web. Cyberstalkers can also obtain personal information about their victims (e.g., home address, phone number) from the Internet and utilize this information to meet their victims in person.

1st cyberstalking in US

Robert James Murphy is the first person in the United States to be charged with what many are calling "cyberstalking." Technically, Murphy has been charged with violating Title 47 of the US Code, which prohibits using any telecommunications device to "to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass" any person. The statute, originally designed to thwart phone stalkers, was amended in 1997 to cover e-mail and other forms of electronic communications, yet it has never been put to the test. Murphy is being accused of harassing a woman whom he had dated 13 years ago by sending her unsolicited e-mails of a questionable nature He has pleaded not guilty to all 26 counts of harassing Joelle Ligon, and if convicted, could be fined US$250,000 and face up to two years on each count. The 26 counts are comprised of individual violations that occurred only between May 2002 and April 2003.

Investigators believe Murphy began sending to Ligon and her co-workers in 1998, tracking her from his computer as she moved from state to state and job to job. Ligon said she deleted and ignored the messages for four years, then began saving them as evidence and approached police, eventually gaining the help of the FBI, U.S. attorney's office and King County prosecutors.

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Source: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20040424-3694.html

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3. Identity Theft

Identity Theft is committed by anyone who knowingly transfers or uses without legal authority the identification documentation of another person with the intent to commit, aid, or abet any unlawful activity that constitutes a felony.

W-9095 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Form Scam

Identity thieves have put together an effective scam that uses fake tax forms to collect sensitive information. They mail the form and then request the recipient to fax back the information within 7 days.

IRS WARNS OF SCHEME TO STEAL IDENTITY AND FINANCIAL DATA

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service warned today of a fraudulent scheme currently circulating that uses fictitious bank correspondence and IRS forms in an attempt to trick taxpayers into disclosing their personal and banking data. The information fraudulently obtained is then used to steal the taxpayer's identity and bank account deposits.

In this scam, a letter claiming to be from the taxpayer's bank states that the "bank" is updating its records in order to exempt the taxpayer from reporting interest or having tax withheld on interest paid on his or her bank accounts or other financial dealings. The scheme promoters then use the faxed information to impersonate the taxpayer and gain access to the taxpayer's finances.

One such phony form is labeled "W-9095, Application Form for Certificate Status/Ownership for Withholding Tax." The form requests personal data frequently used to prove identity, including passport number and mother's maiden name. It also asks for sensitive financial data such as bank account numbers, passwords and PIN numbers that can be used to gain access to the accounts.

Identity thieves can use someone's personal data to:

- Take over his or her financial accounts.

- Run up charges on the victim's existing credit cards.

- Apply for loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim's name.

- File fraudulent tax returns.

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Source: http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/w-9095.htm

Act 10-1 Free Speech Issues

Free Speech Issue: Children, Sex and Violence

1. Ethical Relativism

In some culture and families, the protection of the children from violence and sex is not a primary concern. Some are sent to military camps to train for combat. Others are equally exposed to adult materials. Violent computer games have become very popular and widely accepted.

The children at their state recognizes the right action based on parents or elderly guardance. In this context, the bounds of a child’s freedom of expression is relative to what is acceptable (tolerated or taken for granted) to the society, and to his immedaite surroundings.

2. Ethical Absolutism

In this perspective, the freedom of expression available to children are those that are generally acceptable. The predominant view is that children should not be exposed to indecent materials or violence. Therefore, any means of children’s exposure to it but be prevented.

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3. Ethical Egoism and Altruism

The creators of the computer games would would claim that they intend to provide children entertainment at home or in a secured area compared to children roaming in the streets or hooked on vices therefore, the games were created with the welfare of the children in mind. In contrast, the egosit view that the games were merely created for profit and that the children is the best target since they do not have the capacity to control themselves and value money.

4. Utilitarianism

Some parents/guardians would prohibit a child from playing with computers to prevent cutting classes and loss of concentration in class which results to poor grades. To the parents/guardians, though the children indeed safely home and enjoy the games, education would bring a good future and would therefore result to greater happiness.

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5. Categorical Imperatives

To the parents/guardians and even school officials, it is their duty to protect the children from violence and sex. Restricting access to pornographic materials and violent materials throught computers is a concern. In the Philippines, parents and school officials now closely works with barangays to prevent the computer operators in allowing children to play games during school hours.

However, for others who do not see it specifically as a duty like feeding or providing for their needs, exposure of children to these materials is not a major concern.

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6. Nicomachean Ethics

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For Aristotle, a moral choice would be that upholds human virtues. Virtues ought to be in the activities we choose In the attainment of happiness. Are sex and violence those that help or destroy the character of a child? Are they contributing or detrimental to the development of a child’s comperehension and learning? By allowing or restircting them these materials, will they grow as rational beings able to make the right actions and pursue valued goals in life? These are the questions confronting the exercise of freedom in virtue ethics.

SAQ 9-1 Social Justice Issues

Social Justice Issue in the Philippines

Access to ICT in the rural areas

I believe one of the social justice issues in the Philippines today is development focused on the urban areas. The rural areas are left behind and the digital divide is being further marginalized.

According to statistics, less than half of the rural population enjoys the comfort of electrical power. In Davao alone, there are barangays I have visited that uses car batteries to operate lamp or radio. And the few people who owns them are already regarded as a well-to-do families.
Source: http://www.aseanenergy.org/pressea/philippines/countryprofile/
energy fundamentals.htm

In recognition of the important role of ICT infrastructure and improved conditions of access in the rural areas, and also the cooperation of the LGU and local companies, schools, and stakeholders, the following IT initiatives has been embarked on:

o Creation of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT)
“..address the urgent need to harmonize and make the country’s approach to ICT development more coherent and efficient.”
http://www.us-asean.org/ICT04/index.asp

o Launching of the e-barangay project
“The e - barangay project seeks to provide access to ICT among unconnected and underserved communities, establish a one-stop information resource center for the community..”
http://www.barangay.net.ph/aboutus.php?PHPSESSID=b14e08c58418da545bbd811b028d401b
http://www.mandauecity.gov.ph/ebrgy/
http://www.marinduque.net/barangays/contest.htm
http://www.cvis.net.ph/news.php?news=4

o Launching of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP)
“As a parallel social goal, ICT shall be harnessed to bridge the digital divide among different regions and communities in the country. “
http://www.comcentrum.ph/observatory/observatory-medium-term-%20%20neda.htm

o Launching of the Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCT) in Selected Philippine Barangays Project
“The project aims to contribute to people's empowerment by helping rural communities achieve self-reliance and gain access to information and means of communicating their own views on development issues.”
http://www.idrc.ca/telecentre/evaluation/nn/25_Mul.html

o Launching of the locality websites
Related sites: http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=13630
http://www.itnetcentral.com/computerworld/article.asp?id=14191&leveli=0&info=Computerworld

With the challenges faced by the government to provide equity in computing, the experience of Nigeria is worth taking into account:
http://www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=25017

Summertime!

Hi again!

Summer is here :-)

Yesterday is a special holiday so it is a long weekend. Some of you may have been to resorts or retreat.

If you're thinkin' of enjoyin' the blue beach and white sand, the fishes and corals at a minimal cost, you might wanna try the White Beach Resort in Puerto Galera. Take the bus to batangas city pier (you can bring your car and park overnight or you may even bring them with you to PG!) Do it early when its not too hot to be on the road and it's less traffic. One-way 1-hr ferry ride straight to WB costs approximately P150. Room rates start from P600. The boats can be rented from P600 to take you to long beach for snorkling.

There are lots of restos and bars so food and drinks would not be a problem. The shirts, sarong, and shorts are also affordable.

So enjoy the summer and let's support the Philippine Tourism.

SAQ 8-1 Privacy Issues

An example of Violation of Privacy

Video/Photo Scandal

There were videos taken privately and were not meant to be shared. Traditionally, these things are expensive to reproduce. But nowadays, distributing or even altering them is as fast as one click of a button and at no cost. Take the case of the Mahal taking a shower or the Ethel Booba sex scandal. What can be difficult or might not be shared in public through conventional ways like television news program or tabloid took less than a day to spread nationwide through e-mail and mobile messages. There were also previous cases where nude photos allegedly of Ruffa Gutierrez and Donita Rose circulated the computer networks. The object of the video/photos usually do not pursue a case/complaint against the perpetrators due to disgrace it will further cause them whether the material is authentic or not.

SAQ 7-1 Computer Abuse

An example of Computer Abuse

• Creation and distribution of a computer worm and virus

Today, most of the things we do are computer-aided. We rely on technology to make processes fast, efficient and effective does relying on computer systems to do the things we traditionally have done manually. Computer systems were designed to perform simple tasks as record keeping to complex tasks as performing critical operations.

I consider the creation of a program designed to destroy such valuable assets as morally wrong as it interrupts the usual but important processes. It brings pain and discomfort contrary to what all humans are in pursuit for, which is happiness (utilitarianism). These acts also violate the Natural Law, Moral Law, Divine Law, and Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics which generally upholds goodness.

SAQ 6-1 Computer Ethics

B. Three Precepts on Computer Use

# 9 Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you write.

In determining what is morally wrong or right, we should think not only of ourselves but of the others who are directly or indirectly affected by our actions. Ethics deals with the principles of right action with reference to a person or the society as a whole. Utilitarianism also holds that an act is morally right if the consequences are more favorable than unfavorable to everyone. Our happiness or pleasure must then be attained through acts that are instrumentally good and are acceptable to others.

# 10 Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect.

Consideration and respect for others are good and virtuous conduct that moral law upholds. These are considered actions that conform to our moral norms which is being taught at an early age of character development. In computing, ethical norms are taught in school and also contained on various websites. These norms generally promote order and concern for one another and therefore conform to the precepts of natural law which are righteousness, justice, equity and fairness.

# 1 Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.

According to Kant, there are universal rules that determine what is the right thing to do, is devoid of ifs, and independent of what people desire to do. People must abide by and recognize certain absolute truths and universal principles in order to live a moral life. Acts that harm others are unacceptable - wherever and whenever. It is therefore imperative that computer professionals are guided by this general rule of ethics. Aristotle also vies that human are the capable of living a life of reason. Its defining factors of happiness are understood in terms of its distinctive function and not merely bodily pleasures. The life of reason is considered the happiest. Thus, computing activities that brings good life must be sought and continually practiced by computer professionals.

C. Ethical issues in computing

1. Fostering of personal rights and liberties in computing.

The Internet offers many benefits as it can be a source of a vast world of information, entertainment, and shopping at our fingertips. E-mails, instant messaging, and chat rooms allow us to communicate to friends, family, and even strangers in ways previously unimaginable. Personal websites and blogs (like what we’ve created in this course) allow us to impart our own thoughts to anyone just like acquiring a section in the local newspaper that costs so much.

But the use of the Internet also has many threats to our personal privacy, some of which we already experience like “spam” and “web bugs”. Despite the privacy agreement, there is virtually no services that could guarantee absolute privacy. Our online activities can be monitored by our ISP, and by webs sites that we visit. This information can be used to pry on the memory of personal computers, for marketing as additional source of income, and any other purposes that the user is unaware of. Messages posted on newsgroups are available for anyone to view, copy and store. Moreover, the sender’s name, email address and information on the service provider are available for inspection as part of the message itself.

2. Anonymity on the Web.

Anonymity encouraged especially on newsgroups and other public discussion. It protects the users from abuse in revealing his true profile – name, age, address, telephone, and other personal information. However, it also leads to the issue of transparency and truthfulness. When your true identity is not revealed, the liability of the person is also difficult to enforce.

An employee sent an email to the President and Board Members of the company on an illicit affair of a Senior Officer with one of the staff. The mail sender cannot be traced and it is therefore difficult to asses the truthfulness in the information provided. The affected employee was forced to leave the company due to the disgrace it has brought her though, it was not proven yet. In this instance, anonymity if misused can destroy another person or group’s dignity and may also lead to great losses. However, mandatory disclosure of identity tends to inhibit free expression of ideas because unpopular views or information that attacks those in power may subject the person to belittlement or to physical and economic reprisals.

D. Legislation governing computer use

I support legislation governing computer use. One of the moral problems mentioned in the Course Handbook is the Problem of Freedom. Users are free to explore and surf web sites and transact online. It is not enough to set informal ethical standards on computer use because it is powerful and it now has a global effect. If our actions continue to be unguarded, our properties, national security, and even our lives will be at continual risk. User privileges must then be regulated and appropriate punishment for violations and abuse clearly stated. A law enforcing body to monitor, control, and punish violators is identified. People, generally avoid pain and unpleasant experience. And human beings also have the capacity to act in accordance with a set of norms or principles laid down in the form of laws (Kant), if it exists. The provision of the law then will set order in the way we do things and will benefit and protect everyone.