Saturday, March 6, 2010

Week 7 - Internet Security


Okay I did my Multimedia blog post before my Internet Security one. A little weird, but rest assured both posts are still there! Haha. =D

I decided to look up on cybercrime in Singapore. Interestingly, probably due to our smaller size, we're one of the countries in Asia with the lowest rates of cybercrime. Still, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist!




So here's a good article that I found:

It details Singaporean laws regarding cybercrime, and covers specific legal cases too.


Here's what I picked up from the article:

1) Many hackers hack not out of true criminal intent, but simply for bragging rights. Not entirely worth going to jail for, but hey some people are like that.

2) Activities carried out after hacking can sometimes include minor things like using their server for online chat, creating a user account on their server, and resetting their passwords for fun. Although no physical harm is done, these are still considered severe crimes as they can hinder the work of these firms.

3) Piggybacking on your neighbour's wireless network is also considered a cybercrime!

4) Credit card fraud greatly burdens the original owners of the cards, the credit card companies and ultimately the entire banking industry.

5) Using forged ATM cards -- yes, it's actually possible?! -- is also a cybercrime. Someone caught in 2006 in Singapore for doing that got a 10-year jail sentence.

6) Using the Internet to distribute copyrighted material is also a big cybercrime. The authorities actually track heavy downloaders and send them warning letters at their own homes!

7) Cyberstalking and online harassment is hardly ever prosecuted, even though it is one of the most common forms of cybercrimes in Singapore.

8) Law enforcement officers sometimes pose as children online to trap paedophiles.

9) In conclusion, Singapore has A LOT of cybercrime offences, both under the CMA and the Penal Code. Law enforcement officers are generally given the high hand in Singapore to deal with cybercriminals.

No comments: