4th blog/ security

In class there was a big discussion of security and common hacking tactics. I didn't know there were so many different ways of hacking or finding information out about people. Everything that is secured might not be legal, and what is legal is NOT always secured. I learned that the hard way.



The big thing that I've found to be most popular lately is stealing credit card or social security numbers. Both are very personal important pieces. There are many websites out there that try to sell, or even go in a joint venture, with the stolen credit card numbers and personal information. In the joint ventures other network users will use the stolen numbers to buy things and send them to a random location and have someone else go and get them, then the items are sold and the money is split up between all partakers. New people to the network have to prove themselves by doing "dummy" runs.


Another big area to deal with identity thef involes previous employees. by hacking into the networks or computers of their old jobs. Once they steal the information they most often will sell it all and let others do the stealing with it. I found a very informative website while searching around, http://www.privacymatters.com/identity-theft-information/identity-theft-computer-hacking.aspx , you should check it out.

Computer Hacking

Computer hacking has become a real problem across the United States and the world. Many people have said that it may be our #1 national security issue. In an article published by wired.com, Amit Yoran, a former Bush adminstration cybersecurity czar said, “Is hacking a national security threat?” Yoran said. “The one word answer is ‘Yes.’” We are very vulnerable, as a country, because computers run almost everything we use.(ie. electricity, telephone, internet, banking,etc.) Much of the hacking that is done is malicious, with extreme costs to the people who are affected. People who hack should look at the havoc that they cause, before they push ENTER. I also believe that some of these people have a talent that could be very useful to us. I do not believe that these people should jailed, they should be fined, and made to put their talents to GOOD use.(With a little rehabilation)

Even Google found out the ramifications of hackers when it expanded its business to China. An article published by USA Today discusses the computer hacker training business in China. Even the businesses in the computer industry, cannot protect themselves. Everyday, in the news, we hear of another hacker who has penetrated another company's high security computer system. I was watching 60 Minutes the other night, and they were talking about how our government is hacking into other countries computer systems. The reason we are doing it is because they are doing it, too.

Computer hacking is covered by federal and state laws. Penalties vary between states, but the federal goverment has a uniform code. I have found a website at Ask.com, that will take any questions that you may have regarding the penalties of computer hacking. Once again, I'd like to repeat, that I don't agree incarceration is the answer, only in extreme cases.