Writing Prompts

Directions: Type your responses to the items below.

1		Of the high-tech crimes discussed in the selection, which one(s) do you think are the most serious or are of greatest concern? Why do you have that opinion?
2		Since hacking is not done for criminal purposes, do you think it should be a crime? Explain your position.
3		Were there any high-tech crimes mentioned in the selection that you did not know were crimes? If so, which one(s)? If you were already aware that all of the activities described were illegal, explain how you happen to be aware of their illegality.
4		Everyone has heard about, observed, or experienced--either as a doer or a victim--computer crime of one sort or another. Perhaps, for example, you or someone you know downloaded music through an illegal file-sharing program. Perhaps you've "borrowed" or "shared' software with a friend. Describe one or two of these computer crimes that you've heard about, observed, or experienced. (Do not use any person's name, however.)

To the Web

Consult one or more of the following websites that pertain to the topic of the reading selection. Then answer the questions based on information obtained from the websites.

http://www.fraud.org/internet/inttip/inttip.htm

This is the website for the National Consumers League's Internet Fraud Watch.

5		First, click on "General Internet Fraud Tips" and read the tips. Then choose and read about one of the specific types of Internet frauds, such as "Charity Scams," " Scholarship Scams," "Work-at-Home Scams," "Bogus Credit Card Offers," "Investment Scams," "Online Auctions," or "Travel Fraud." Summarize the information about that particular type of fraud or scam.

http://www.fraud.org/2002intstats.htm

This page provides statistics that pertain to Internet fraud for the year 2002. Based on information at this website, answer these questions:

6		To the nearest million dollars, how much money did consumers lose to Internet fraud in 2002?
7		Of the top ten types of fraud, what were the three primary ones? Was there any one type of Internet fraud that was the most significant? If so, which one?
8		Which the two payment methods were most often involved in fraudulent online transactions?
9		Which age group has he greatest number of fraud victims?
10		Based on the statistics given, write a profile of the person most likely to be a victim of Internet fraud. In other words, tell the person's likely age group, which state the person is most likely to live in, the type of Internet transaction, the payment method the person would be likely use, and the amount the person would probably be scammed out of.

http://www.fraud.org/internet/intalert.htm

This webpage tells about consumer losses related to Internet auctions.

11		What is the main reason consumers fall victim to online auction scams?
12		What are the problems associated with payment methods for online auction purchases? How can consumers protect themselves?