A summary of hacking, what it is and what might need changing in the laws.

2. Definition of Hacking R.C.M.P.: The term computer &quot;hacker&quot; refers to an individual who, via a modem or some other computer communications device, circumvents computer security and breaks into a computer system. &quot;Hacking&quot; could be roughly equated to a break and enter. A &quot;hacker&quot;can steal data, sabotage information, or do nothing but browse.[ R.C.M.P. Web site <www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca> (cited fall 2000)]

3. Origin of the term hacker Originated at MIT university as a compliment for programmers who got the computers to work using ad hoc techniques. Unlike computer criminals, no crimes were comitted, instead these programers worked strange hours. In a way a positive deviation became a criminal label. Many early computer owners not just teenagers tried to break into larger systems using a modem.

8. Victimisation Reporting Rates (FBI) “ The FBI's National Computer Crimes Squad estimates that between 85 and 97 percent of computer intrustions are not detected. In a recent test sponsored by the Department of Defense that statistics were startling. Attempts were made to attack a total of 8932 systems participating in the test. 7860 of those systems detected the attacks and only 19% of the managers reported the attacks.” [(Richard Power, Current and Future Danger: A CSI Primer on Computer Crime and Information Warfare , Computer Security Institute, 1995) in D. Icove, K. Seger, & W. VonStorch, Computer Crime, A Crimefighters Handbook , ( Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., 1995]

13. The future and suggestions for reform The new crimes find new laws. Are the first laws the best? Should we not study this further before making the laws? Are we being to harsh for the amount of deviation involved? Couldn't a computer skilled offender help with a community groups computer problems? As such, community service orders should and is likely to be the sentence given.