CYBER CRIME AND CYBER ETHICS

 

CYBER CRIME AND CYBER ETHICS

Cybercrime refers to any illegal activity committed using computers, networks, or the internet, while cyber ethics is the set of moral principles that govern responsible and ethical behavior in the digital world

. The two concepts are deeply interconnected, as cyber ethics provides the framework for behavior that prevents and counters cybercrime. 

CYBERCRIME

Cybercrime is an unlawful act where a computer is either the tool or the target of the offense. The motivations behind cybercrime are varied, ranging from financial gain to political objectives or personal harassment. 

COMMON TYPES OF CYBERCRIME: 

·        Phishing and scams: Using deceptive emails, text messages, or websites to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like login credentials and credit card numbers.

·        Identity theft: Stealing personal data to commit fraud, open fake accounts, or make unauthorized transactions.

·        Ransomware: A type of malicious software that encrypts a victim's files or system and demands a ransom payment for their release.

·        Malware attacks: Spreading viruses, worms, and trojans to damage systems, steal data, or gain unauthorized access.

·        Cyberstalking and harassment: Using electronic communication to intimidate, harass, or threaten individuals.

·        Intellectual property theft: Illegally copying or distributing copyrighted material like software, music, or films.

·        Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks: Flooding a network or website with excessive traffic to crash it or make it inaccessible to legitimate users.

·        Financial fraud: Online scams, fraudulent transactions, and credit card misuse. 

CYBER ETHICS

Cyber ethics establishes a code of conduct for users in cyberspace, emphasizing integrity, accountability, and respect. Adhering to these principles is essential for creating a safe and trustworthy online environment. 

Cyber security ethics grows in urgency as the digital landscape continues to transform society. What should cyber security professionals — the front-line defence against threats — know about cyber security ethics?

Cyber security capabilities have improved thanks to advancements in security technology and heightened awareness of threats. At the same time, however, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated in identifying and attacking weak points. For example, phishing, one of the oldest cybercrimes, dating back to the 1990s, continues to expand as a threat. Security firm Lookout reports that the rate of mobile phishing was highest in 2022. Also, phishing was one of the most common attacks used in internet crimes, causing more than $4 billion in losses, in 2020, according to the FBI.

Cyber security ethics takes centre stage as cyber security professionals vie for an edge over criminals. Understanding the ethical implications of their work and choices is crucial to helping cyber security professionals balance security with other societal values.

Ethics defines right and wrong actions in specific situations and is fundamental to society. In the cyber realm, ethics serves as a guidepost for cyber security professionals. It helps identify the type of online behaviour and conduct that harms individuals and businesses.

Ethical principles are what separate cyber security professionals from hackers. For example, while the latter tries to steal data, the former tries to protect it. When hackers access data, they use it for nefarious purposes. On the other hand, cyber security professionals, who have access to the same data, use their skills to ensure that the data’s safe and secure.

IMPORTANCE OF CYBER SECURITY

From data breaches to deep fakes, cyber security professionals deal with many threats. These unethical online activities have a profound impact on people and business. For example, a hacker may steal a company’s data, an act that can compromise customer data. A cybercriminal can then take that data and sell it on the dark web. Cyber security is vital to preserve privacy and guard against identity theft.

Cyber security also protects people from cybercrimes such as financial fraud. For example, consumers exchange their data with banks and financial institutions when conducting online banking. Cyber security helps secure financial transactions, safeguarding bank accounts and credit card information.

A breach can also disrupt regular business operations and inconvenience customers and employees — or even put regional or national infrastructure at risk. In urgent settings, such as hospitals, attacks on computer networks can harm people and impact their health.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF CYBER ETHICS: 

·        Privacy: Protecting personal information and respecting the privacy of others. This includes not sharing private information without consent.

·        Intellectual property: Respecting copyright laws and giving proper attribution when using digital content. This principle opposes piracy and plagiarism.

·        Security and integrity: Protecting digital systems and networks from threats. Ethical practices include creating strong passwords and reporting vulnerabilities.

·        Digital empathy and respect: Treating others with consideration and civility online, and refraining from cyberbullying and harassment.

·        Information accuracy: Avoiding the spread of misinformation and verifying the truthfulness of information before sharing it.

·        Responsible digital citizenship: Behaving online in a positive and constructive manner, and being accountable for your actions in the digital world. 

 

TYPES OF CYBERSECURITY ETHICAL ISSUES

For cybersecurity professionals, keeping systems secure often means using privileged access to data to perform activities such as white hat hacking, also known as ethical hacking. White hat hacking describes penetrating protected systems using hacking tools and techniques to test the security of systems, networks and software. The aim is to identify security vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity research to learn how to break through the safeguards of a system enables cybersecurity professionals to build defenses against them.

White hat hacking offers an example of cybersecurity ethical issues in the profession. A white hat hacker must be trustworthy enough to safeguard the confidentiality of the information they encounter, but there have also been notable incidents in which security professionals discovered crimes or public threats that they decided to share with authorities. A solid ethical foundation can serve as the bedrock to help employees make the right decisions as they face some key cybersecurity ethical issues, as listed below.

HARM TO PRIVACY

Harm to privacy refers to an individual’s privacy becoming compromised. Negative consequences include unauthorized access, identity theft, reputational damage and distress. A cybersecurity professional’s decisions ultimately impact privacy protection. They can safeguard privacy in several ways, including implementing security measures, tools and practices; calling out designs and apps that mislead users into sharing excessive information; ensuring compliance with security frameworks; and mitigating risks.

HARM TO PROPERTY

Harm to property refers to damage to both physical and digital assets. It can lead to unauthorized access and the disruption of services. For a cybersecurity professional, prioritizing network security becomes an ethical matter. They have a responsibility to implement countermeasures, which can include risk assessments, firewalls and continuous monitoring. Failure to do so can lead to property harm caused by a cyber attack.

CYBERSECURITY RESOURCE ALLOCATION

Determining what to invest in cybersecurity activities can be a challenge. Large companies can invest more resources to enhance their cyber defenses, improving their chances of detecting anomalies or intrusions. More important, knowing how to allocate resources is essential. Cybersecurity professionals must properly use resources for the greater good of the organization and its stakeholders. Deploying a patch for a critical software vulnerability may be costly and time consuming, but not doing so may risk a data breach that impacts millions of customers.

TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE

Companies should promptly reveal critical vulnerabilities in their software upon learning about them. This level of transparency can not only help cybersecurity professionals collaborate and share information to respond quickly to attacks but also allow customers whose data is threatened to take appropriate action to diminish their own risks.
Approaches to transparency and disclosure depend on the organization. However, the recent Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 offers guidance: Section 2242 notes that companies should voluntarily disclose a known cyber attack within 72 hours after its discovery.

ETHICAL CHALLENGES FACED BY CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS

From keeping sensitive data confidential to confronting user privacy issues in the workplace, cybersecurity professionals must find a healthy balance between safeguarding information and upholding cybersecurity ethics standards.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Cybersecurity professionals handle sensitive information, from personal customer data to a business’s proprietary information. Disclosing this data can have severe consequences, so cybersecurity professionals must never reveal confidential information, unless a significant public benefit exists for doing so.

THREATS AND RISKS

Cybersecurity professionals are duty-bound to respond to cyber threats. Remaining vigilant is always a priority, and their response is crucial. While individuals may overlook notifications or leave their computers unattended, cybersecurity experts should never do so.

BALANCING SECURITY WITH BUSINESS INTERESTS

Cybersecurity professionals may encounter unethical practices within a business unit. Reporting the issue to supervisors may be the best first step. In the case of illegal activity, a cybersecurity professional may consider reporting it to authorities or the media.

USER PRIVACY

Cybersecurity professionals have to balance security and user privacy. In protecting their organizations from cyber attacks, cybersecurity professionals sometimes have to access employees’ online activities. Without carefully considering user privacy, this can come close to violating a person’s rights.

PROMOTING ETHICAL PRACTICES IN CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity professionals often have unique access to sensitive data. They’re responsible for defending this data against malicious actors. This requires an understanding of ethical practices. However, the cyber realm often blurs the line between security and privacy, making it imperative for professionals to have clear codes of conduct and demonstrate trustworthiness.

By staying updated on evolving cybercrimes, enhancing competencies and pursuing advanced education, individuals can develop cybersecurity strategies and strengthen their knowledge of ethical principles.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CYBERCRIME AND CYBER ETHICS

Cybercrime and cyber ethics exist on opposite ends of the same digital spectrum.

·        Cyber ethics as prevention: Upholding ethical principles serves as a primary defense against cybercrime. Responsible behavior, such as respecting privacy and not spreading malware, reduces the potential for harm.

·        Cybercrime as a consequence of unethical behavior: A breach of cyber ethics, such as violating privacy or engaging in digital harassment, is often the first step toward committing cybercrime. Unethical online behavior can escalate into illegal activity.

·        Legality vs. morality: While cybercrime is defined by legal statutes and carries legal penalties, cyber ethics is based on moral rules and norms. An action can be unethical (e.g., gossiping online) without being a crime, but many cybercrimes (e.g., hacking) are also significant ethical violations.

CONCLUSION

Cybercrime and cyber ethics represent the two opposing forces shaping the digital world. While cybercrime is the dark side of technology, exploiting its vulnerabilities for illegal and harmful purposes, cyber ethics is the guiding light, promoting responsible and constructive behavior.

IN CONCLUSION, THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS A CRITICAL ONE:

·        Cybercrime is a violation of both law and ethics. It is a deliberate act of using technology to cause harm, whether for financial gain, personal gratification, or to damage systems and reputations. The rise of cybercrime highlights the urgent need for robust legal frameworks and enforcement to protect individuals, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

·        Cyber ethics are a vital preventative measure against cybercrime. By instilling a strong sense of digital citizenship and promoting moral principles like respect, honesty, and empathy, cyber ethics can help curb the very behaviors that lead to illegal online activity. It encourages users to think before they click, to respect intellectual property, and to treat others online with the same consideration as in the physical world.

Ultimately, a safe and secure digital future requires a two-pronged approach. We must continuously invest in technical solutions to prevent and combat cybercrime, and at the same time, we must promote and educate on the principles of cyber ethics. By fostering a culture of ethical responsibility, we can create a digital environment where the vast opportunities of technology are harnessed for good, and the threats of cybercrime are effectively minimized.