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Cases Involving Hackers
There are so many court cases involving hackers on the federal level. According to dictionary.com, a hacker is a computer slang term meaning, "a microcomputer user who attempts to gain unauthorized access to proprietary computer systems." "A 20-year-old hacker admitted Monday to surreptitiously seizing control of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers, using the zombie network to serve pop-up ads and renting it to people who mounted attacks on Web sites and sent out spam. Jeanson James Ancheta, of Downey, Calif., pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court to four felony charges for crimes, including infecting machines at two U.S. military sites, that earned him more than $61,000, said federal prosecutor James Aquilina. Under a plea agreement, which still must be approved by a judge, Ancheta faces up to 6 years in prison and must pay the federal government restitution. He also will forfeit his profits and a 1993 BMW. Sentencing is [scheduled] for May 1" (Associated Press, 2006, p.1). In another case, the FBI, was able to uncover and identity theft ring, that had victimized dozens of people. Arrest were set to be made in Southern California, Nevada, North Carolina, and even overseas. The alleged criminals used the computer to obtain personal information and withdrawal money from bank accounts. The victims were sent an email that led them to a bogus site and asked them to update their account information (Associated Press, 2009, p.1). How well do you know your sender?