Computer Crime in a Borderless World
Peter Nils Grabosky · International Annals of Criminology · 2000
Summary This paper provides an overview of computer-related crime. Ten varieties of crime are considered : theft of services; communications in furtherance of criminal conspiracies; information piracy; the dissemination of offensive materials; extortion; electronic money laundering; electronic vandalism and terrorism; sales and investment fraud; illegal interception of communications; and electronic funds transfer fraud. Computer-related crime, like crime in general, may be explained by the conjunction of three factors : motivation, opportunity and the absence of capable guardianship. Motivations will vary depending on the nature of the crime in question, but may include greed, lust, revenge, challenge or adventure. Opportunities are expanding dramatically with the rapid proliferation and penetration of digital technology. The most appropriate strategies for the control of computer-related crime entails a mixture of law enforcement, technological and market-based solutions to enhance guardianship. Significant challenges arise from the transnational nature of much computer crime, and from the need for the law to keep abreast of developments in technology and their criminal exploitation.