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Computer Fraud
What is Computer Fraud?
Computer fraud involves the use of computers or the Internet to commit illegal activities, typically for personal or financial gain. It encompasses a wide range of criminal activities, including unauthorized data access, identity theft, and manipulation of digital information to deceive or exploit others.
Common Forms of Computer Fraud
- Unauthorized Access: This includes hacking into computer systems or networks without permission to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations.
- Identity Theft: Using computers to intercept personal data, such as passwords or credit card information, to commit identity theft.
- Data Manipulation: Altering or deleting stored data, or rewriting software codes to access financial systems illegally.
- Computer Tampering: Illegally accessing a computer to destroy or alter data, which can lead to significant financial losses.
Legal Framework
In the United States, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is a key federal law that addresses computer fraud. It prohibits unauthorized access to protected computers, which are defined as those used in interstate or foreign commerce, effectively covering most computers with Internet access. The CFAA also covers computer espionage, trespassing, and the distribution of malicious code.
State Laws
States like New York and Louisiana have their own laws regarding computer fraud. In New York, computer fraud is associated with white-collar crimes such as identity theft and embezzlement, while Louisiana defines it as accessing or causing to be accessed any computer system without authorization.