Cybercrime

Incidents of computer hacking, viruses, and worm programs have become frequent headline news stories in recent years: the existence of cybercrime is inescapable. Cybercrime: Vandalizing the Information Society makes it plain that this is a phenomenon with the potential to affect us all. By raising our awareness of the potential threats and vulnerabilities we face, Steven Furnell equips the reader with the knowledge to make informed decisions about IT security.

Taking a variety of perspectives, he presents an accessible and sober analysis of the specific manifestations of cybercrime, including hacking, viruses and other forms of malicious software. These activities are clearly set in context by consideration of the wider effects for the organizations and society in which they take place.

Issues covered include:

• the origins and extent of the cybercrime problem;
• the implications for and responses from the legal system;
• the reporting of cybercrime incidents in the media;
• the commercial and political evolution of the computer hacker;
• the likely future development of cybercrime.

Cybercrime: Vandalizing the Information Society provides an authoritative introduction and reference to the subject for business decision-makers, IT professionals, academics, and others interested in going beyond the usual hype and sensationalism.

Contents

Preface.
About the author.
Acknowledgments.

1. “You are here” —Welcome to the information society.
2. Crime in the information society.
3. Hackers—Anti-heroes of the computer revolution?
4. Delving deeper—What hackers do and how they do it.
5. Manifestations of malware.
6. Societal impacts of cybercrime.
7. Commercial and political evolution.
8. Where do we go from here?

Glossary of terms.
Online resources for cybercrime and security.
Notes on sources.
Index.