The Internet and Crime

Technology has an important role to play in our lives. From the car alarm to satellite communication systems, technology assists us and improves many aspects of our lives. However, people are becoming increasingly concerned about the way technology, computer technology in particular, is providing criminals with a perfect means to commit crime with little chance of being caught. The main area of concern is the use of the Internet by fraudsters. Some people have argued that the Internet makes it easier for criminals to commit crimes while others say that it has made little difference.

All that is needed is a computer and a phone line and you have access to millions of websites offering information about everything. In addition, for a few dollars a month you can create and manage your own website with little more than a few clicks of the mouse. Therefore, it is easy for criminals to create a website for their own purposes.

In addition to the ease that technology can be used, there is also the problem of security. If Microsoft cannot protect its own software from being hacked or attacked by viruses, then the average user has little chance of protecting themselves from such crimes. Every word that we type can be traced by a computer expert. Therefore, personal information and important financial details can be traced and used by fraudsters. There is no question that should they wish to, these experts can get whatever information we choose to share with other users.

As for the fraudsters, every day we hear stories of unsuspecting people being duped by a conman or of credit card theft and mass fraud. The world is full of people ready and willing to trick and cheat their way to riches. The Internet provides another way for these criminals to strike. So, it seems clear that the Internet does not really make much difference.

In conclusion, fraudsters have been lurking around corners for as long as there have been people to dupe; the Internet has no more responsibility for the popularity of fraud than any other means which are used. Crime is an endemic problem in our society which needs to be addressed at its roots, not by blaming a machine for what is clearly a man-made problem.