Cyber stalking-
Despite its efficiency, the concept of defence in depth is costly to apply due to it requiring
many technologies and processes. Smaller organizations with reduced security budgets and
fewer employees will find it more challenging to implement a security policy coordinated to
various hacking attacks, opposed to big businesses who can afford comprehensive
protection. This means smaller businesses are more vulnerable to attacks due to a lack of
resources (Stanciu and Tinca, 2017).
Hackers tend to exploit the weakest link in the security chain (Stanciu and Tinca, 2017).
Methods of gaining unauthorised access to computer networks include guesswork, random
generation of a password and theft of a password – either physical or virtual. Additionally,
some computers and software programmes have known weaknesses that can be utilized by
criminals (Orr, 2008). Jordan and Taylor (1998) explain that one of the most complex of
these is 'IP spoofing.' This is when a computer connected to the Internet can be deceived
about the identity of another computer during the process of receiving data from it. Hacking
can be as straightforward as tricking someone into giving out their password, impersonating
someone, stealing refuse in the hope of obtaining illegal information or spying over
someone's shoulder (Jordan and Taylor, 1998).
Malicious software or malware refers to computer code and programmes that infect
computers, often distributed by email, which are capable of causing damage or theft to
systems and the information they hold. Malware then proceeds to infect the targeted
computer system causing disruption. Malware takes many forms, such as Trojan horses,
spyware, worms and viruses (Yar, 2013). However, just like terrestrial viruses, computer
viruses need hosts to reproduce and transfer them.
Furthermore, worms are pieces of software capable of reproducing by themselves
independently (Nazario, 2004). Worms pose a real threat to society; viruses need interaction
from the user, for example opening an infected attachment. As worms spread without
interaction from the users, they are most likely the hardest form of malware to contain,
risking society's computer systems (Yar, 2013).
In prior times, hacking – the unauthorised entry into a telecommunications system, network,
computer or database – was considered an intellectual game and not a crime. Modern
hackers have varied motives – some hack for hedonistic purposes and many hack for
financial gain, while others are political idealists (Shinder and Cross, 2008). According to
Porterfield (2017), hacking culture is split into two primary groups, ‘white hat’ and ‘black hat’.
The latter group hack for malicious, personal, criminal gain, whereas the former group use
their skill for ethical hacking, such as determining weaknesses in computer systems for the
Despite its efficiency, the concept of defence in depth is costly to apply due to it requiring
many technologies and processes. Smaller organizations with reduced security budgets and
fewer employees will find it more challenging to implement a security policy coordinated to
various hacking attacks, opposed to big businesses who can afford comprehensive
protection. This means smaller businesses are more vulnerable to attacks due to a lack of
resources (Stanciu and Tinca, 2017).
Hackers tend to exploit the weakest link in the security chain (Stanciu and Tinca, 2017).
Methods of gaining unauthorised access to computer networks include guesswork, random
generation of a password and theft of a password – either physical or virtual. Additionally,
some computers and software programmes have known weaknesses that can be utilized by
criminals (Orr, 2008). Jordan and Taylor (1998) explain that one of the most complex of
these is 'IP spoofing.' This is when a computer connected to the Internet can be deceived
about the identity of another computer during the process of receiving data from it. Hacking
can be as straightforward as tricking someone into giving out their password, impersonating
someone, stealing refuse in the hope of obtaining illegal information or spying over
someone's shoulder (Jordan and Taylor, 1998).
Malicious software or malware refers to computer code and programmes that infect
computers, often distributed by email, which are capable of causing damage or theft to
systems and the information they hold. Malware then proceeds to infect the targeted
computer system causing disruption. Malware takes many forms, such as Trojan horses,
spyware, worms and viruses (Yar, 2013). However, just like terrestrial viruses, computer
viruses need hosts to reproduce and transfer them.
Furthermore, worms are pieces of software capable of reproducing by themselves
independently (Nazario, 2004). Worms pose a real threat to society; viruses need interaction
from the user, for example opening an infected attachment. As worms spread without
interaction from the users, they are most likely the hardest form of malware to contain,
risking society's computer systems (Yar, 2013).
In prior times, hacking – the unauthorised entry into a telecommunications system, network,
computer or database – was considered an intellectual game and not a crime. Modern
hackers have varied motives – some hack for hedonistic purposes and many hack for
financial gain, while others are political idealists (Shinder and Cross, 2008). According to
Porterfield (2017), hacking culture is split into two primary groups, ‘white hat’ and ‘black hat’.
The latter group hack for malicious, personal, criminal gain, whereas the former group use
their skill for ethical hacking, such as determining weaknesses in computer systems for the
