Viruses and Worms

Viruses are programs that attach themselves to a computer or a file. They then circulate themselves to other files and to other computers on a network.

Worms, unlike viruses do not need the host to attach themselves to. They merely make functional copies of themselves and do this repeatedly till they eat up all the available space on a computer’s memory.

Malware

Malware means malicious software. It is designed to secretly access an individual’s computer without his or her permission.

Most malware are software created with the intent of stealing data. Using these software’s which are usually disguised as harmless pop-ups and such, information about the users is collected without their knowledge. Examples of malware are network malware, mass-mailing malware.

Fraud

It is the use of computer technology to obtain funds belonging to someone else. Online fraud and cheating is one of the most profitable businesses that are growing today in the cyber space.

Some of the cases of online fraud and cheating that have come to light are those relating to credit card crimes, bank fraud, internet scams, identity theft.

Cyber stalking

Involves following a person’s movements across the internet by posting threatening messages on the bulletin boards frequented by the victim, and constantly bombarding the victim with emails.

Child Pornography

It is the using of internet to transmit child phonography. Includes sexual images involving children under puberty and those under legal adult age, and computer-generated images that appear to involve them in sexual acts.

Extortion / Blackmail

It works the same way as in the real world. The perpetrator threatens to reveal sensitive information of an online business.

Phishing

It the unlawfully accessing a computer without authorisation and sending multiple e-mails; resending multiple commercial email messages with the intent to deceive recipients, or falsifying header information in multiple email messages.

http://cybercrime.org.za