Children and Crime

The thesis of “Computer and Crime” by Kristine Brown and Susan Hood in Academic Encounters Life in Society (2002), indicates that there are some people who use computer systems for illegal purposes such as stealing money from banks accounts. As technology developed and helped for business and private purposes, it also helped for committing crimes. Not only money stealing is the crime by using computer, but also downloading software freely from the internet. I believe that people who uses computer for illegal purposes are increasing and should be punished by law.
The most dangerous form of stealing through the internet is to break in to certain websites and steal private information that is called hacking such as, social security number which can allow the on-line thief to use someone’s identity in whatsoever illegal activity. One crime associated with computers is selling through the internet. For example, a fake company, which has a web-site, offer goods for sale that never delivers. The consumers send his personal information to the one of these companies such as credit card number in order to pay for the price of the good. There are many problems in fighting computer crimes. First, many computer crimes are not reported to the police. In the U.S. only 17% of high-tech crimes are reported to authorities. Sometimes, companies do not report computers crimes because, the public may then lose confidence in them. Second, police cannot identify computer criminals because it is difficult to know who commits the crime. It also needs special technological skills. Computers also help police to solve crimes. For instance, the U.S. is developing a national computer database on recorded thefts. Moreover, computer helps in displaying photographs of suspects and wanted criminals on the internet.
I agree that computer crimes are increasing every year and should be punishment by law. There are many crimes that happen using the computer systems such as, stealing money from bank accounts or breaking in to a website and getting some personal information. So, I think we have to make special department in the police station to fight these kinds of crimes. Computer virus is a kind of virus that hurts the computer running. For example, a virus called “Chernobyl”, happened in 1999, and attacked hundreds of thousands of computer around the world. The viruses can be deliberately written in to programs and documents. In my opinion that U.S. government could make a program in the computer so we can protect the computer from any viruses.
I agree with author that there are many crimes happen in the internet world. For instance, stealing some programs from internet by illegal way. And also there are many website that phasing by emails. In fact, it is a fights company. I think the government should make punishment an force by law to fights those companies to protect the people from stealing.
In conclusion, I believe that there are several reasons why computer crimes are increasing every year. First, there are many crimes that happen by using the computer systems with out any punishment. Second, there are many computer programs stealing with out any safety. After all, the government should make serious punishment by the law to stop the computer crimes.

by Awni Najim

Computers and Crimes

Angelica Silva de Limongi
Greenspan
AE2 W052
Final Draft Summary Response #2
May 9th, 2005

The thesis of “Computers and Crime” by Brown and Hood (2002) in Academic Encounters (Chapter 7 p. 159) is that while technological advances have brought some benefits in the world like to solve crimes quickly, recently new kinds of crimes are involved with the use of computers. In other words, this technology has permitted high-tech crimes. The article discusses about types of crimes such as selling over the Internet or booming business including fraud and scam; computers viruses and hackers; and theft of information like to phishing. For instance, in 1995, one employee was charged for fraud because she stole from per paycheck ten cents every month into her personal account. According to the authors, some studies recall concerns about the use of computers related to attitudes of people. The authors report one research in which there are different degrees of opinions connected with wrong or right believes using computers. One example of that is to make copy of software for home use. This study shows one important question related with technology, changes of thoughts, activities on Internet, and issues of moral values. However, I am so worried about the consequences of these changes of people’s thoughts because anyone can learn through Internet how to commit two dangerous high-tech crimes: phishing and hacking.

First, phishing on-line is a kind of crime related to sending emails. Of all types of computers crimes, in my opinion, it is the worst because people who commit this crime not only take personal information in order to steal money but also they break moral values and feelings. In Venezuela the process of phishing is very simple. When they send emails asking for monetary help for a person who suffers diseases like cancer, and that person does not exist at all, criminals do not care about the good will of helping people. The direct consequence of this act is that in another occasion good will people would not help a real person who needs some help. This implies that Internet might become in the most effective source of fraud. So, we need to put limit this situation. Some solutions can be: do not open unsure websites, delete emails from unknown people, do not send personal information like passwords or numbers of credit cards, social security, and invest some money to buy protection systems for computers like Spy Ware and Norton.

Second, hacking is another computer crime that is against private lives and familiar values. A hacker is a person who breaks into people’s computers to seal information or destroy personal information. That is too bad and illegal. I am married and some time I am planning to have children, but I worry that he or she might learn from the Internet how to be a hacker. Nowadays, children are smart since very early, and they are learning of computers anyway. Although the Internet is the most amazing mass media, it is dangerous for little children who are connected to improperly websites. Consequently, we cannot control them all the time, and they can access every kind of information due to there is not all censorship in some websites. Therefore, the Internet might teach them how to be hackers in spite of my efforts to give them an adequate education in moral values. Nevertheless, we should use some controls on the computer home to prevent our children can visit dangerous website.

In conclusion, computers and crime is a main topic that should worry to anyone. I am sure that technological advances have brought many interesting ideas related to benefits for the society. But in the last time, some people have learned use these technological advances for commit high-tech crimes: phishing and hacking. First, the terrible consequence of phishing has been that some people not be confident and do not believe in others. Second, learning how to be a hacker is easy. Only you need to spend a lot of time on the Internet to break into people’s computers to seal information or destroy personal information. So, adults should think in a special solution like censorship on computers at home and buy different programs to protect private information.

Reference
Brown, K., & Hood, S. (2002). Computers and Crime. In Academic Encounters: Life in Society (pp. 159-160). Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

The Farting Dog

Angelica Silva de Limongi
AE2
May 6th, 2005
Walter the farting dog



As an introduction, I’d like to say that “Walter the farting dog” is a Children’s book, by William Kotwinkskle and Glenn Murray and illustrated by Audrey Colman was published in 2001 by Frog, Ltd. Following this, I want to say that it is my favorite story for two reasons.

First, it is a very funny story and I think that the main point is an unusual topic not usually treated in a Children’s books. I enjoy reading a lot. However, I had never read in a Children’s books about flatulence or smell gas expelled from the back of a person or animal. The main point not only refers to this corporal function (to fart), but also the most important message is the whole story is related to some values demonstrated by members of the family. In the story, there are two children called Betty and her brother Billy. Also, they have two parents (mother and father), one little cat, and our strange buddy Walter the farting dog.

Next, moral values treated in this story are connected with some aspects referring to commands to be happy in a small social group like a family or in a big group like a society. These values are practice tolerance, believe in something, be brave, love someone, and respect the differences of the others. Te last one is my favorite value due to everyone who has felt one embarrassing moment in he or his life. Therefore, in the same words of the authors “This story is for everyone who’s ever felt misjudged or misunderstood.”

Finally, the story begins when Betty and Billy brought Walter home from the dog pound because nobody wanted him and Walter cannot stop farting everywhere. Next, the parents took him to the vet. The doctor recommended a new diet for Walter. In spite of the fact, he continued farting. In addition, they said to the children that the dog should go back to the pound. The children were so sad because they love him. The children believed in their dog and they accepted Walter just the way he was. On day, two thieves broke into the house, but they could not robber anything because Walter was brave and he began farting. So, the thieves ran far away and Walter became a hero.

If you are interested in knowing the second part, you should read the second book “Walter the farting dog: Trouble at the yard sale”

My favorite coffee shop

About two months ago, I came here to study in CESL. Recently, I got used to life here and I could find good places around the university. A few weeks ago, I found a coffee shop on Jackson Street. The new house coffee shop is not so large, but inside of this shop, there is a so good interior, a little old style pictures and small ornaments. The reason that I love there are there have many couches, some board games and the proprietor is a pleasant person. Of course they have many flavored coffees and teas. It is comfortable place for me, so usually I spend at least 2 hours with one drink there. Whenever I go there, customers enjoy themselves, studying, chatting and reading books or papers. This coffee shop gives me good time to chat with my friends.

Miriam Makeba

One of my favorite musicians is Miriam Makeba...she's a South African singer who has become famous. Her music is still hard to find in the US...I could only find one cd and it had lots of western music on it. Actually her African music is best. I love to hear about the musicians that different people know about in different countries. I hope you will tell us about your favorites!
-TL