Cyber Crime Overview
The Internet has become a fixture in society, influencing the flow of communication, the progress of technology, and the way people conduct professional, financial, and personal affairs. With its ease of access and use, the Internet has made it easier than ever to share and spread information, much of it important or at least entertaining. However, it has also made it easier for less desirable elements of society, including sexual predators and scam artists, to commit crimes under the cloak of virtual anonymity. Although many people who commit cyber crimes are eventually caught and brought to justice, many others continue to perpetrate fraud, acts of stalking, and other crimes on an unwitting populace. Cyber crimes may be classified as felony or misdemearnor offenses. Depending on the charges, felony lawyers or misdemeanor lawyers can help protect the rights of accused individuals.
Common Cyber Crimes
Among the most prevalent cyber crimes are those involving money. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of emails have been sent out under the guise of official emails from banks, inviting recipients to divulge sensitive information about their identities and bank accounts. This act, known as phishing, has resulted in the theft of thousands of identities and millions of dollars. Internet theft can also occur due to fake lottery scams, hacking into someone's computer or bank account, and other acts of fraud and deceit. Other forms of cyber crime include sexual harassment, stalking, child pornography, and the spread of computer viruses. Hate crimes, including the dissemination of racist propaganda, and drug trafficking have also increased substantially during the Internet age. Because the Internet offers at least a certain amount of security and privacy to those who intend to exploit or harm others for their own purposes, lawmakers have responded with proposals to restrict unfettered Internet use. At present, however, people are advised to use common sense and be vigilant when using the web. If an email seems suspicious in any way, the best thing to do is to delete it without opening it up.
Contact an Attorney
If you have been accused of a cyber crime, criminal law attorneys can prepare a strong defense to help protect your rights. Our attorneys are committed to the presumption of innocence and will provide a hard-hitting defense to help you achieve the optimal outcome for your case.