Many internet crimes are committed unintentionally but are still fully punishable under the law. Knowing how to protect yourself could save you from dealing with a lot of problems. 

Unintentional Internet Crimes

Being a victim of an internet crime is more common now than it was 10 years ago as the number and proficiency of these types of crimes have greatly increased over the past decade. But unintentionally committing an internet crime has also become much more prevalent. There are many ways to put yourself in danger of committing an internet crime that you may not even be aware of. 

You may think that unintentionally committing a crime is an excuse for actually committing a crime, or that in order to unknowingly carry out a crime, someone must have been doing something they shouldn’t have. Those are valid thoughts, however there are ways that you can be charged with a cybercrime without even knowing you’ve done anything wrong. 

Unintentional internet crimes are usually the result of negligence, ignorance, or mistakes. If you’re charged with committing an internet crime, proving negligence, ignorance, or a mistake can be tough. Understanding how you could be guilty of performing an illegal internet crime without meaning to could provide an advantage in protecting yourself from involvement in a crime. 

How Unintentional Internet Crimes Can Occur 

There are a few ways that you can become an accessory to an internet crime, or even be charged with committing the actual crime without realizing it. These ways include: 

1. Unauthorized Access to Wifi: You may be sitting in your car, waiting to meet someone for lunch and hop on your mobile or laptop only to find you have free wifi access to a neighboring business. This may seem innocent, but you’re actually violating computer security laws that are in place in a number of states, including New Jersey. If you haven’t been given permission to access the wifi, you’ve committed a crime. 

2. Cyberbullying or Cyberharassment: Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, or false content about someone else. This type of behavior is common for teens, but adults take part in it as well. Even if the information is posted on a secure, private social media site, the author of the information could be committing a crime. This is particularly true if race, gender, faith, or threatening language is mentioned. 

3. Hidden Files: Have you ever clicked on a pop-up ad or a clickbait article? Even to close out the ad or article? If so, you could have dozens of hidden files on your computer that you do not know about. Making sure your computer’s firewall is intact and up to date could protect against this type of crime pulling you in. 

4. Lending Your Laptop: You trust your friends, right? Maybe you should reconsider. If someone borrows your computer and commits an internet crime, the first person to consider responsible is you. Although you may be able to prove your innocence, it will not be without some difficulty. 

Knowing how unintentional internet crimes can be carried out is one step closer to not allowing them to happen. There are also ways to safeguard yourself so that these types will not be charged to you. 

Ways to Avoid Committing Unintentional Internet Crimes 

While making sure you have permission to use someone else’s wifi, not posting negative things about others online, not clicking on pop-up ads, and not letting someone borrow your laptop could save you from unintentionally committing a crime, there are a few other ways to prevent being accused of an internet crime. 

Tips for how to avoid committing unintentional internet crimes include: 

• Use strong passwords: This will prevent hackers from stealing your information, or using your personal information to commit a crime. 

• Keep Software Updated: Having the latest version of the software you use will ensure that security systems have been updated. 

• Keep Your WiFi Network Secure: Keeping your wifi network secure from others prevents them from accessing it and using it to commit crimes. 

Being aware that you could commit an internet crime without intending to do so goes a long way in preventing it from happening. Know who is using your wifi network and educate those you are younger in your home about the danger of committing an unintentional internet crime. 

If you, or someone you know, has been accused of an internet crime, seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. If the crime was committed unintentionally, legal counsel can help get to the root of the issue and help prove your innocence. 

For help dealing with internet crime accusations, reach out to the legal team at The Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot today!