| As Internet usage has increased, so have the number | | | | and trade secrets. |
| of ways and methods criminals use this technology to | | | | Child pornographers use the Internet because they |
| steal identities, violate copyrights, and infect computers | | | | think being online gives them anonymity. The FBI |
| with numerous viruses. Crimes involving computers and | | | | formed the Innocent Images Task Force to investigate |
| the Internet are called cyber crimes. These crimes | | | | these crimes and find the pornographers and their |
| have become so common that the FBI and many | | | | victims. Hundreds of arrests have been made as a |
| large law enforcement organizations have investigative | | | | result of the FBI’s increased efforts. |
| units targeting cyber crime, and new laws have been | | | | A gaffe by a Pennsylvania news anchor revealed a |
| created to prosecute criminals accused of cyber | | | | little known, but very common, cyber crime in 2008. |
| crimes. | | | | Larry Mendte pleaded guilty to intentionally accessing a |
| These types of crimes are as varied as the crimes | | | | protected computer without authorization. In short, he |
| that are committed offline. Hacking, or illegally | | | | bought a device that would log keystrokes and |
| accessing someone’s computer or online account, | | | | determined his co-anchors passwords. He then read |
| is how online criminals get to personal information. | | | | her email hundreds of times. He pleaded guilty to the |
| Hacking spawns a variety of cyber crimes. | | | | federal offense and could serve five years in prison. |
| Identity theft is one of the best known cyber crimes. | | | | Because cyber crimes are so varied, it is important |
| This happens when someone steals your identity. This | | | | that individuals accused of these types of crimes seek |
| can be done by hacking into a bank account, credit | | | | qualified representation to protect their rights. |
| card statement, or getting a password to an online | | | | Experienced criminal defense attorneys can help |
| retail account. These thieves will use this information to | | | | individuals who have been accused of criminal acts. If |
| drain bank accounts or open up new credit lines in the | | | | you’ve been charged with a white collar crime, you |
| person’s name and ruin their credit. Recently, many | | | | should seek the advice of qualified criminal attorneys |
| companies and even government agencies have | | | | who can help you develop a successful defense |
| discovered hackers have accessed personnel records | | | | strategy. |