What
is Computer Fraud?
Everybody has a different view of
what the term computer fraud actually means. After
many years spent examining computers and data, we take the view that computer fraud
falls into two distinct categories:
"Conduct which involves the manipulation of a computer or computer data, by whatever
method, in order to dishonestly obtain money, property or some other advantage of value,
or to cause loss."
Examples:
Theft of information
The unauthorized obtaining of information from a computer (e.g. ‘hacking’,
taking
unauthorized copies of company records, trade secrets, etc.)
Software theft
The comparative ease of making copies of computer software has led to a huge
illegal
market, depriving authors of very significant revenues.
These are but a few of the most common examples and the list is as long as the
imagination of the criminal mind.