As computers are increasingly used to commit crimes, law-enforcement officials struggle to adjust to a new breed of crook. The Information Age, brought about by increased computerization and the use of networks, has changed the way businesses and organizations work. While estimates of losses from the use of computers to commit crimes vary from a few hundred million dollars to billions of dollars, there is little doubt in the law-enforcement community that computer crime is on the rise. I don't think we understand it or know the extent of the problem.
Computers can be a target, facilitator or tool for illegal activity.
Crimes being committed using computers include embezzlement, trade-secret theft, fraud, and child pornography trade and possession. While the crimes themselves are nothing new, the way they are committed is. An employee can shift company money to his personal accounts more easily with networked computers than with pencil and paper accounting systems and stand-alone computer terminals because discrepancies are often difficult to trace to a particular person. Tracks can also be covered up by clever criminals who don't even have to go to a bank to commit robbery - they can do it online. But the major threats to companies is from the inside.