Computer Crime Dictionary

Compiled from the thoughts found in the following book:

Parker, Donn D.  (1998) Fighting Computer Crime: A New Framework for Protecting Information.  Wiley.

Cybercrime:  "Crime in which the perpetuator uses special knowledge of cyberspace;"  often applies to computer crime situations involving the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Computer Crime:  "Crime in which the perpetuator uses special knowledge of computer technology."

Hacker:  Proficient computer enthusiast; a person who experiments with or explores the contents of computers using unorthodox methods.

Malicious hacker: Person who engages in unauthorized hacking; a hacker who engages in distribution of viruses, software piracy, etc.

Software piracy:  "Possessing or using software without the permission of the owner."

Trojan Horse:  "Software in which unauthorized computer instructions have been secretly inserted."

Virus:  Software which secretly accompanies or is embedded in another computer program.  Once the program is executed, the virus replicates and inserts copies of itself into other software.

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