There is no way around using digital interaction to access important information like bank accounts, driver’s license information, even social security details, and more. For those with the know-how, gaining access to this prime data is easy! Keep reading to learn more about computer hacking and how it stacks up as a crime.
Computer Hacking 101
Computer hacking (also called cyber hacking) is the use of unconventional or illicit means to gain unauthorized access to a digital device, computer system or computer network. Hacking is considered a cybercrime, and it’s big business–the global cost of all cybercrime is expected to reach nearly $27 trillion by 2027!
Not all computer hackers are malicious, some people learn computer systems to avoid being targeted by those looking to take advantage of them–these people are referred to as “ethical hackers”. The cybersecurity industry relies on these types of hackers to test security measures, address security flaws, and prevent cyberthreats. Ethical hackers make their living by helping businesses safeguard against cyber attacks and work with law enforcement to take down malicious hackers.
Hackers looking to take advantage of a computer system use many different techniques, and those techniques change frequently to get around security measures put in place. Currently, some of the techniques used by malicious hackers include:
Social Engineering: This is a manipulation technique designed to exploit human error to gain access to personal information. Using a fake identity and various psychological tricks, hackers can deceive you into disclosing personal or financial information. To achieve success with this technique, hackers use spam emails or texts, fake websites, or phishing scams.
Hacking Passwords: This technique is exactly what it sounds like, using different ways to gain access by obtaining your password. In a brute force attack, hackers try to guess every possible combination to gain access to your information. There are also algorithms that generate different combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols to try and identify a password.
Exploiting Insecure Wireless Networks: Many people do not secure their router, so hackers can simply drive around looking for open wireless networks and gain access to them. Once they connect to an insecure network, it doesn’t take long for them to gain access to the devices connected to that network.
Logging Keystrokes: Hackers can install programs on computers that keep track of every keystroke, giving them access to all passwords and personal information.
Creating Zombie Computers: Hackers can use a bot, or zombie computer, to send spam to a victim’s computer. Once the victim opens the spam, a connection to the hacker’s computer is made and the hacker can control the victim’s computer to commit crimes, steal information, or spread spam.
Malicious computer hackers can do a lot of damage. Stealing money or your identity, ruining your credit score, selling your social security number, and damaging important files on your computer are just a few examples of the destruction they can create. That is why computer hacking is considered a crime!
Hacking is Definitely a Crime
Computer hacking is a crime in almost every instance–especially when the hacking is done to commit a crime. It’s not common to hack into computers just for the sack of doing so, although there are some people who do just to prove to themselves that they can. Hacking into a protected computer is always a crime.
What is a protected computer? A protect computer refers to:
- A government computer
- A financial institution’s computer
- Any computer used in interstate communications or commerce
- Any computer used in foreign communications or commerce
Realistically speaking, any computer connected to the internet is a protected computer. Hacking a protected computer is a federal crime, so the federal government, depending on the hacking crime, may bring charges against a hacker. The charges could result in a misdemeanor or a felony charge.
There are federal laws that address hacking, these include: The Computer Fraud Abuse Act, The Stored Communications Act, and The Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
In New Jersey, accessing data on a computer without permission is a third-degree crime. If the data is altered or damaged, it’s a second-degree crime. It is also a third-degree crime if you intentionally set out to defraud individuals by accessing their information on a computer. If it’s deemed that you “recklessly destroyed” data on another person’s computer, you may be charged with a fourth-degree crime.
If you are facing a computer crime charge, contact the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot today!
