As never before, western industrial society is dependent upon complex data processing and information systems. I'm sure you would agree that nowadays, almost everything depends upon software. Electric power generation, telecommunications, air traffic control, and financial systems all comprise what we call society's critical infrastructure. Damage to, or interference with, any of these systems can lead to catastrophic consequences. Whether motivated by curiosity, vindictiveness or greed, electronic intruders cause inconvenience at best, and have the potential for inflicting massive harm.
Some commentators suggest that the very nature of warfare is changing.
Seventh is Sales and Investment Fraud. The use of the telephone for fraudulent sales pitches, deceptive charitable solicitations, or bogus investment overtures is a billion dollar a year industry around the world. Fraudulent sales and investment offers abound in cyberspace. Further developments in electronic marketing will provide new opportunities for the unscrupulous and new risks for the unwitting. The growing use of the Internet as a medium for sharemarket transactions provide unprecedented occasions for criminal exploitation.