| Computer crime has been the ugly side of the Internet | | | | connection is almost as common as a television for |
| revolution and its rise cannot unfortunately, be seen as | | | | most households in the western world and it is unusual |
| a surprise. There are always those who will look to | | | | to meet someone who doesn't have an e-mail |
| exploit and 'game' systems, look for loop holes and | | | | address. The widespread growth of Internet services |
| make a quick buck. Computers have provided criminals | | | | which now includes banking, grocery shopping and all |
| with a new arena to participate in and as a result, | | | | matter of digital media means there is a whole digital |
| crime-fighting techniques have had to advance and | | | | economy developing. |
| adapt to the new playing conditions and through | | | | With more money, banking details and personal |
| advanced computer forensics, the evidence suggests | | | | information circulating around the globe every second |
| they are doing a good job of keeping up. | | | | of every day there are more opportunities for criminals |
| Computer forensics can also be used to prove | | | | to operate online than ever before. Computer |
| innocence as well as convict the guilty. A typical | | | | forensics is one such method being used to fight crime |
| computer forensic investigation can involve recovering | | | | online and convict those participating in unscrupulous |
| data that was thought to be lost from hard drives and | | | | schemes. Mobile phones, PDA's and other portable |
| networks. Recovering data that has thought to have | | | | devices can be analysed as well as audio visual data |
| been deleted, decrypting data using advanced | | | | such as video and sound recordings. Computer and |
| algorithms and building usage profiles can all be used | | | | digital crime always leaves a trail, and it is computer |
| when put together to build a case against someone | | | | forensics experts that step in, find the trail and paint |
| accused of a digital crime. | | | | the whole picture of what has happened - a role that |
| As we move into another decade there is no sign of | | | | will continue to be vital through the next decade and is |
| computer use and misuse slowing down. An internet | | | | likely to be for many more to come. |