Hacking and computer crimes computer fraud - A comparative look at the new criminal code and the criminal code of the Republic of Moldova

• Author: Alin Teodorus Dragan
• Position: Faculty of Juridical Sciences, 'Vasile Goldis' Western University of Arad
• Pages: 29-34

AGORA International Journal of Juridical Sciences, www.juridicalj ournal.univagora.ro

ISSN 1843-570X, E-ISSN 2067-7677

No. 1 (2014), pp. 29-34

29

HACKING AND COMPUTER CRIMES

COMPUTER FRAUD – A COMPARATIVE LOOK

AT THE NEW CRIMINAL CODE AND THE CRIMINAL CODE OF

THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

A. T. Drgan

Alin Teodorus Drgan

Faculty of Juridical Sciences

“Vasile Goldi” Western University of Arad

E-mail: alinteodorus@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

Hacking involves the attempt to compromise the security of a computer system in

order to gain unauthorized access. In the course of time it has turned out that the Internet is a

vulnerable system, and this has generated a framework for criminal activities, resulting in the

emergence of new crimes, among which computer fraud.

Keywords: computer system hacking, computer fraud

Introduction:

Cyber criminals elude the physical limitations that govern real-world crimes. The

classic police model based on the principle that law enforcement bodies must react effectively

and promptly to a crime, is less efficient against online crimes, because, in these cases, the

police response usually begins long after the cyber crime was successfully carried out.

Hacking

Hacking is a complex task that requires a high level of technical knowledge. Usually

it does not pay for a hacker to make the effort of penetrating a private home computer. Real

hacking is typically done on computers that are likely to include the personal data of a lot of

people, such as those of banks, databases of corporations, hospitals, schools, etc.

The term “hacking” is used very frequently, in fact, it is overused. Many individuals

call themselves hackers even if they are not. In the world of hacking, the word “hacker” only

refers to those who try to find vulnerabilities in different systems for research purposes.

“Cracker” is the person trying to exploit the vulnerable parts of a system for malicious

purposes. However, for the general public, as well as for most officials, the distinction has

been lost

1

.

Many in the hacking community object to the use of the term “hacker” in the media

in order to denote illegal computer intrusions. In the hacking community a hacker is the one

doing experiments on an information system in order to learn more about it.

Hackers are classified in a variety of groups, of which we will mention only a few.

The white hat hacker does not carry on illegal activities, he only learns about various

information systems and seeks their vulnerabilities in order to subsequently provide security

programs that protect the systems from illegal penetration.

The black hat hacker carries on illegal activities; these are the people who are usually

associated with computer crimes. This term is s ynonymous with the word “cracker”. Usually

when the media talk about hacking, the reference is actually to black hat hackers.

1

Chuck Easttom and Det. Jeff Taylor, Computer Crime, Investigation and the Law, Course

Technology, a part of Cengage Learning PTR, Boston, 2011, p. 10