Topic 11: Computer Crime, Fraud, Ethics and Privacy

Question 1

Bot

Answer 1

Short for ‘robot’, an automated process that interacts with other networks.

Question 2

Consequentialist Theories

Answer 2

Theories that argue that the consequences of one’s actions should be the basis for making an ethical decision.

Question 3

Cookies

Answer 3

Small files stored on a computer’s hard drive that keep a record of websites viewed, viewing preferences and user profiles.

Question 4

Customer Profiling

Answer 4

A process where data on a customer’s website viewing habits are used to build a profile of their interests, needs and preferences, which can then be used for targeted advertising.

Question 5

Cybercrime

Answer 5

A crime committed using a computer and/or the internet.

Question 6

Data Mining

Answer 6

A data analysis technique where large amounts of data are taken and analysed for potential patterns and relationships that may exist.

Question 7

Ethics

Answer 7

The term given to the implicit rules that guide us in our everyday behaviour, thoughts and actions.

Question 8

Fraud

Answer 8

An act on behalf of a person that is deceptive or deceitful in some way in that it causes them to receive a benefit that they are not entitled to.

Question 9

Hacking

Answer 9

Gaining unauthorised access to a system.

Question 10

Identity Crime

Answer 10

A generic term that describes a range of activities/offences where a perpetrator uses an identity (some combination of personal information) that is fabricated, manipulated, stolen or assumed from another person in order to facilitate the commission of a crime(s).

Question 11

Identity Fabrication

Answer 11

The creation of a fictitious identity.

Question 12

Identity Fraud

Answer 12

Gaining money, goods, services or other benefits, or avoiding obligations by using a fabricated, manipulated or stolen/assumed identity.

Question 13

Identity Manipulation

Answer 13

Altering one or more elements of an identity (e.g. name, date of birth, address etc.).

Question 14

Identity Misuse

Answer 14

Using personal information for purposes extraneous to the original transaction — such as renting it to a vendor of related products, or mining it to create a consumer profile or direct marketing list.

Question 15

Identity Takeover

Answer 15

Assuming parts or all of the identity of another person without their consent.

Question 16

Identity Theft

Answer 16

Stealing or assuming a pre-existing identity (or significant part thereof) without consent and, in the case of an individual, whether the person is living or deceased.

Question 17

Kantianism

Answer 17

A theory proposed by Kant that an action is morally right if it is motivated by a good will that stems from a sense of duty.

Question 18

Malware

Answer 18

Malicious code that is designed to damage, disrupt or steal data or disrupt computer systems and networks.

Question 19

Maxim

Answer 19

A rule or principle on which one acts.

Question 20

Non-consequentialist Theory

Answer 20

The theory that a decision or action should be based on duties and rights (or obligations).

Question 21

Online Fraud

Answer 21

Any type of fraud scheme that uses email, websites, chat rooms or message boards to present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, to conduct fraudulent transactions, or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme.

Question 22

Personal Information

Answer 22

Information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.

Question 23

Phishing

Answer 23

Using email to seek passwords and financial data from internet users.

Question 24

Privacy

Answer 24

The claim of individuals, groups, or institutions to determine for themselves when, how, and to what extent information about them is communicated to others.

Question 25

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Answer 25

A system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. It is grouped under the broad category of automatic identification technologies.

Question 26

Spam

Answer 26

The sending of unsolicited emails or junk email.

Question 27

Trojan

Answer 27

Named after the mythical wooden horse used to gain access to Troy. It is a harmful piece of software that looks legitimate.

Question 28

Utilitarianism

Answer 28

The theory that the decision or action is right if it creates happiness for the greatest number of people.

Question 29

Virus

Answer 29

A program or code that replicates; that is, infects another program, boot sector, partition sector, or document that supports macros, by inserting itself or attaching itself to that medium.

Question 30

Whistleblower

Answer 30

A person who informs on a person or organisation engaging in an unlawful or immoral activity.

Question 31

Worm

Answer 31

A type of malware that is similar to a virus and causes the same type of damage, but does not require a host program.