Criminals is Cyberspace

Joe Elias said, if people are committing crimes in cyberspace, which they would not commit in real life, then why do you think they do it? Do they get some kind of rush, or personal satisfaction?

I believe that a majority of the individuals out in cyberspace that commit crimes are out for the rush. When I was a kid I never wanted to follow the rules, I was rebellious and always wanted to test the limits. This is what I think computer thieves and criminals find exciting about breaking the law in cyberspace. D. Denning states, “While many label hackers as being malicious, evil and destructive, and no doubt some are, as a whole, they are upstanding and considerate people who actually contribute to the well being of cyberspace. In many ways they see themselves defending the citizen’s right to expression and access to information. The activities are done in harmless fun and they are careful not to inflict harm if at all possible. Hackers are bright and sophisticated computer experts who are out for a challenge and a thrill. If anything, they are useful in exposing the weaknesses in computer networks, and indeed are employed by businesses to test the security of their systems” (Denning, 1990). All in all, I think that most of the criminals in cyberspace do it for fun and to get a hold of as much valuable information as possible.

Denning, D. A presentation at the 13th National Computer Security Conference, Washington D.C. Hackers Who Break Into Computer Systems. 1990. Obtained April 3, 2007. http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/courses/478/brandt.html