NCJ Number
101246
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (Winter 1986) Pages: 15-28
Date Published
1986
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A discussion of computer crime committed by computer hobbyists focuses on the reactions of defense counsel, law enforcement agencies, Federal and State legislatures, the business community, the security industry, and the courts.
Abstract
The movie 'War Games' and the access gained by a group of Milwaukee 'hackers' to a variety of computer files drew attention both to the ease with which computer crime can be committed and to the fact that youths might often be involved. The increased media attention to computer crime has raised several issues: when lawyers or defendants should speak to the media, whether attorneys can help one another using computer bulletin boards, and whether attorneys should sell information about cases to the media. The law enforcement community has responded to hacking by seizing computer hardware, setting up sting operations on computer bulletin boards, and using informants. Computer manufacturers have publicized the problem of data security and have cooperated with FBI sting efforts. The computer security business has profited from the hacking phenomenon, and many publications now exist on computer security. Relatively few computer crimes have been prosecuted, however, largely because of the inadequacy of existing laws. 122 notes, appendix.