Computer fraud is rampant, as the use of computers becomes part of our daily lives, with greater and greater frequency. The definition of what constitutes computer fraud becomes ever more complex with the ingenuity of people who intend to deceive, misrepresent, destroy, steal information, or cause harm to others by accessing information through deceptive and illegal means. Just as you have to be careful when you’re walking down the street, or in your own home when you lock up at night, you’ve got to be careful of the many examples of computer fraud that will make their way onto your computer.

Types of computer fraud vary and can be complex or simple. Simple types of fraud might include:

• Sending hoax emails intended to scare people.
• Illegally using someone else’s computer or “posing” as someone else on the Internet.
• Using spyware to gather information about people.

These actions are computer fraud because they are deliberate misrepresentations of the truth. They progress into more harmful actions as they grow more complex and include:

• Emails requesting money in return for “small deposits.”
• Pyramid schemes or investment schemes via computer with the intent to take and use someone else’s money.
• Emails attempting to gather personal information to be used to access and use credit cards or social security numbers.
• Using someone else’s computer to access personal information with the intent to use such fraudulently.
• Using the computer to solicit minors into sexual alliances.
• Violating copyright laws by copying information with the intent to sell information, like DVDs, CDs.
• Hacking into computer systems to gather large amounts of information for illegal purposes.
• Hacking into or illegally using a computer to change information, such as grades, work reports, etc.
• Sending computer viruses or worms with the intent to destroy or ruin someone else’s computer.

There are many different legal ramifications for those practicing computer fraud, especially when such practice can be shown to be harmful and physically or financially damaging to others. Most laws make the distinction between a person who knowingly commits fraud and someone who does so accidentally. For instance, passing on a hoax letter about a potential virus is a common trait among new computer users, and isn’t really fraudulent. Deliberately generating a hoax letter to scare others is fraud with the intent to at least emotionally harm others. Generally when the a person has intentionally committed a fraudulent act via computer they can be subject to both criminal and sometimes civil prosecution, and at minimum they will pay fines if they’re convicted of minor fraud. At maximum, people who steal information or steal peoples’ money via computer, either directly or through fraudulent means face jail time and large fines.

Even though there are stiff penalties for committing computer fraud, laws governing against it may be difficult to enforce. Some of the email scams for investment opportunities and get rich quick schemes originate outside of the US, and it may be difficult to instigate investigations on foreign soil. It’s therefore wise to be wary and commit to the following computer philosophy when you’re on the net:

1) Do not give personal information to anyone or to any company you’ve never heard of before. This includes your full name, your address, your phone number, credit card number, social security numbers, or information about the people in your household.
2) Do not pay attention to get rich quick schemes. If they seem too good to be true, they absolutely are.
3) Do not open emails from strangers. Install anti-viral software and spam blocking programs on your computer and your email program.
4) Don’t download attachments from people you don’t know.
5) Teach your children about safe communication on the Internet to protect them from Internet predators.
6) Don’t keep passwords on your computer, and do not use common passwords like the names of your kids, birthdays, or other guessable words. Never give your password to someone else.