Cybercrime in Malaysia and US Essay Example

the misuse and exploitation of information, particularly through knowledge of information systems, which are the main means for committing these offenses.

According to Richards (1999), cybercrime refers to the illegal use of computers for criminal activities. Power (2000) defines it as the intentional unauthorized access and obtaining of information from a computer. Chung et al. (2011) argue that considering the nature and location of cybercrimes, the most suitable definition is illegal computer-mediated activities that frequently occur in global electronic networks. It's important to note that computer systems and information technology are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern society.

The computer and internet are widely acknowledged for their usefulness and effectiveness, but not all users employ this technology positively. Some individuals turn computers into tools for criminal activities, such as theft and fraud, or use them to commit crimes like data destruction and stealing computer chips. Moreover, the negative aspects of computer and internet usage become more evident when they are utilized to carry out traditional crimes like fraud, phishing, intellectual property theft, counterfeiting, or facilitating prostitution.

In addition, these cutting-edge advancements are employed to engage in unconventional offenses such as website hacking, content destruction, data theft, credit card information pilfering, and even intricate criminal activities like money laundering. These illegal actions, commonly referred to as 'cybercrimes', take place when individuals misuse or exploit computers and the internet. Cybercrime encompasses a wide range of unlawful activities related to computer technology and due to the borderless nature of the internet, it is challenging to anticipate the extent of these criminal acts.

The Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime conducted a classification of cybercrime to

provide a clearer understanding of this issue. This classification divided computer-related crimes into four categories: computer-related offences (such as forgery and fraud), content-related offences (such as child pornography), offences related to copyright infringements (such as illegal online sharing of copyrighted material), and offences against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer data and systems (such as illegal access, illegal interception, data interference, and system interference) (International Telecommunication Union, 2009). Parthasarathi (2003) further categorizes cybercrime into three broad groups: individual targets, including their person and property; organizations, including government institutions, firms, companies, and groups of individuals; and society as a whole.

Offenses against individuals range from e-mail harassment, cyber-stalking, and spreading obscene material to defamation, unauthorized control or access to computer systems, indecent exposure, email spoofing, cheating, and fraud. On the other hand, offenses against personal property include computer vandalism, virus transmission, net trespassing, unauthorized control or access to computer systems as well as intellectual property crimes and theft of internet time.

The Organization faces various types of crime, including unauthorized control or access over computer systems, possession of unauthorized information, cyber terrorism against government organizations, and distribution of pirated software. On the other hand, crimes against Society at large encompass pornography (especially child pornography), corrupting the youth through indecent exposure, trafficking, financial crimes, sales of illegal articles, online gambling, and forgery.

The problem of cybercrime is universal and every country encounters it, although the extent of technological advancement and historical context varies across nations. As a result, there are differences in the statistics related to online wrongdoing. To combat the increase in computer-related criminal activities, numerous countries have recognized the need for

legal actions against cybercrime.

In 1984, the United States enacted the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act as its initial cyber-crime law (Malanie, 2002). Similarly, Malaysia implemented several laws in 1997 including the Computer Crime Act 1997, Digital Signature Act 1997, and Telemedicine Commission Act 1997 to combat cybercrime (Lim, 2005). Both countries have demonstrated their dedication to combating cybercrime on a global scale by agreeing to sign the Convention on Cybercrime.

According to the Microsoft report, Malaysia's online safety and cybercrime laws are moderately to weakly aligned with the Convention on Cybercrime in Asia Pacific. In comparison, the United States has a distinct pattern of reported cybercrime cases when compared to Malaysia. The Malaysian Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) has classified six types of computer crime incidents in Malaysia, including harassment, fraud, denial of service, intrusion, hack threats, and malicious code.

In a computer crime and security survey carried out by the Computer Security Institute (CSI) in 2007, it was found that cyber misconduct cases in the US are varied. These include insider abuse of net access, viruses, phishing, denial of service attacks, unauthorized access to information, theft of customer/employee data, and abuse of wireless networks.

The importance of implementing a strategy to address cybercrime should not be underestimated, especially as computer-related offenses continue to advance with advancements in information technology. Combating cybercrime is not only the responsibility of governments but also involves private sectors and individuals. A successful approach to combatting cybercrime should include both national and international aspects, such as enacting laws and regulations, promoting education, and conducting computer forensic examinations and crime investigations.

Due to the borderless

nature of cyberspace, criminals can engage in global illegal activities and target individuals worldwide. In December 2000, the Malaysian Parliament's website was hacked by individuals from Brazil and France. As a result, authorities from both countries were notified to aid in the ongoing investigation.

The significance of strong working relationships between authorities in different countries has been highlighted in this situation, demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in effectively addressing threats. Additionally, regularly sharing information on internet fraud cases and strategies to combat them between local and international agencies is crucial.

The occurrence of misconduct cases in cyberspace has provided valuable learning opportunities for both developed and developing countries. Developing countries can learn from the experiences of developed countries, and vice versa. This mutual learning can enhance their understanding and preparedness to tackle future threats. Zahri and Ahmad Nasir (2003) stressed the significance of effective collaboration, communication, and prompt information dissemination among relevant stakeholders to swiftly mitigate the harm caused by cybercrime.

According to their statement, many organizations are failing to address cyber attacks properly because they lack essential information. It is crucial for authorities to develop and implement an effective strategy to combat cybercrime efficiently. Enforcing existing laws against the improper use of computers and the internet is vital in reducing incidents of internet exploitation.

To ensure improved protection and a secure online environment, it is crucial for the government and legislative authorities to consistently evaluate existing laws on computer-related crime. Even technologically advanced nations like the United States need to frequently revise their legal systems in order to remain informed about current developments in cyberspace criminology and effectively combat

cybercrime.

To adequately safeguard internet users in South East Asia, regular evaluations of legal systems are necessary (Chen, 2008). Despite the long existence of computers, there remains a continuous debate regarding the inadequate computer skills possessed by numerous individuals. Consequently, this exposes diverse members of society – including working adults, students, and children – to online cyber threats.

Senior citizens are becoming more susceptible to cybercrime as they lack knowledge and awareness in online security. In the digital world, they are targeted by fraudulent individuals, putting them at risk. Therefore, educating seniors about cybersecurity and helping them comprehend the nature of cybercrimes is essential for providing better protection.

Online safety courses and training can be used by both private and public sectors to educate their workforce, helping them learn how to respond effectively to cyber attacks, avoid falling into traps, identify threats, and establish stronger data protection measures against unauthorized intrusion.

Furthermore, government institutions can implement educational programs and awareness campaigns to combat cybercrime. They can also disseminate materials like notices, brochures, leaflets, articles, and more related to this issue. These initiatives have the objective of enhancing public knowledge about cybercrime and encouraging collaboration with authorities in addressing it. For example, individuals can identify email frauds and report unscrupulous websites as well as cases of identity theft to cyber security agencies. This action then leads to further investigations and prosecution of criminals.

Educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, play a vital role in educating students about online safety. Additionally, they can provide internet access on their premises and create secure accounts to protect students from accessing harmful or dangerous

websites.

To ensure a safer online environment for their children, parents should familiarize themselves with cyber security. They can subscribe to protection packages and security products offered by companies such as McAfee, Kaspersky, Avast, etc. These services allow them to securely connect to the Internet, safeguard data, utilize parental controls, prevent interruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and constantly monitor and enhance their security status while browsing and shopping online from home.

Simply enacting laws and educating users is not enough to combat cybercrime. Cybercrime investigation and computer forensics are essential in trials related to cybercrime. The effectiveness of an investigative team relies heavily on the success of computer crime investigations, making it crucial to have a group of trained prosecutors specializing in this field as the defense line against cybercrime.

The formation of the investigative team should consist of prosecutors who specialize in computer security and information technology. It is especially important to include those with experience in computer-based and Internet investigations, as this will enable them to effectively deal with the various technologies utilized by cyber criminals. Moreover, law enforcement agencies must provide their computer crime investigators with the required technology for conducting complex computer investigations.

Constant training is necessary for relevant agencies to educate themselves on Internet and computer-based evidence. It is crucial to continually be aware of and trained in ICT security technologies. According to SANS Institute (2002), computer crime divisions within police forces worldwide are increasing in order to ensure the quality of cybercrime investigation.

In the UK, two organizations handle computer-related crimes. The Metropolitan Police Service Computer Crime Unit focuses on crimes related to the Computer Misuse

Act. Additionally, a new organization called the National High Tech Crime Squad (UK) deals with technology-related crimes that span multiple police jurisdictions and require specialized investigative skills.

The main idea emphasized is the need for trained specialists to conduct investigations in computer crime cases. Malaysia also has its own investigative team in the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), specifically a special group of investigators focused on computer-related crimes within the Forensic Computer Laboratory. Their purpose is to support investigating officers in the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) when handling computer crime cases (Lim, 2005).

The national cyber security specialist center, CyberSecurity Malaysia, was established by the Malaysian Government. It operates under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and offers ICT security specialist services. The government mandated the creation of this agency in 2009 to guarantee ongoing monitoring of national security threats (CyberSecurity Malaysia, 2011).

The text covers cybercrime, which refers to illegal activities occurring on worldwide electronic networks. This category encompasses four types: computer-related offenses, content-related offenses, copyright infringements, and crimes against computer data and systems. These unlawful actions have the intention of causing harm to individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.

To effectively eliminate cyber threats, it is necessary to have a strong understanding and conduct thorough research with regular updates. Cooperation from the private and public sectors at both national and international levels is crucial. Measures such as implementing laws, education, cybercrime investigation, and computer forensics play a vital role in addressing cyber threats and attacks.