Internet Fraud and the Need For Public Education Essay

Internet Fraud and the Need For Public Education - Essay Example Fraud detection software and security patches can barely outpace the criminals who are constantly in search of a vulnerability to exploit. Firewalls, password technology, and biometric devices all contribute to making the personal data that is available on the Internet more secure, but it is usually the gullibility and ignorance of the computer user that is the weak link in the security chain. Professional and public education is the most effective method for reducing and eliminating the crime of Internet Fraud. Internet fraud is an important issue based on the magnitude of the economic cost and the number of people who are at risk of becoming a victim of fraud. While the overall number of crimes reported has experienced a slight drop in recent years, combined losses for the US and the UK is on the rise and topped $12 billion in 2007 when as many as 1 in 13 people unwittingly gave out personal information to scammers (Johnson 2008; 'Protect yourself online'). In the US, financial losses for Internet fraud have skyrocketed from $183.2 million in 2005 to $8.5 billion in 2007 (Dignan 2008, p.33; 'Protect yourself online'). ... Criminals have turned to Internet fraud in increasing numbers because their identity is easy to conceal, few resources are required to perpetuate the crime, there is easy access to countless potential victims, and they can operate in geographic locations where pursuing prosecution is complicated (Grazioli & Wang 2001, p.194). All these factors influence the type of fraud engaged in, the method of working the scam, and the selection of the victim. Anyone who comes into contact with the Internet can become the victim of Internet fraud, but there are some markers that indicate segments of the population who are typically more at risk. Perpetrators are overwhelmingly male, with only one out of four being female (Dignan 2008, p.33). Professional criminals will often target banks that are known to have lax security systems or a low rate of fraud recovery (Anderson 2007, p.5). The most common Internet fraud is the illegal downloading of software or music, and 25 percent of the 10 to 25-year-old age group admitted to committing this crime in 2004 (Wilson et al. 2006, p.iv). The personal victims are twice as likely to be male rather than female, and males lose a greater amount of money per transaction on average (Dignan 2008, p.33). Internet auction fraud, which accounts for two-thirds of the fraud complaints, had a median loss of $800, while the median loss for all Internet fraud was $424 (Bywell & Oppenheim 2001, p.267; Dignan 2008, p.33). As with crime in general, small losses are generally unreported.

Slavery Abolishing in 1807 in Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Slavery Abolishing in 1807 in Britain - Essay Example Slaves were captured in Africa and transported to Europe where they were sold to owners where they worked in plantations. Slaves were mistreated and harassed by their owners. They were not paid for the hard work they performed in plantation. During the transportation of slaves many would die of disease and only a few would arrive healthy for them to be auctioned. Problems would arise where the slaves would die from tropical diseases and owners would not provide proper medical care, slaves would be beaten mercilessly by their master and owners and there were no laws governing this immoral behaviour. However a few individuals in the society would consider slavery and slave trade as an immoral behaviour and this led to the formation of anti slavery movements. The abolishment of slavery was a long struggle dated back in the 1750 where a number of Quakers started to disapprove slave trade, the Quakers started to disapprove slave trade and encouraged slave owners to educate slaves, introdu ce them into Christianity and improve their working and living conditions, in 1783 a group of six Quakers pioneered a movement that was to start the struggle to abolish slave trade. These members included George Harrison, John Lloyd, William Dillwyn, Joseph Hooper, Joseph Woods, and James Phillips. this was a non denominational movement which was aimed at gaining support from parliament and the Anglican church. This movement gained popularity and an additional of three members from the Anglican Church joined the movement and this really strengthened this group, these Anglican members included William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp. After the joining of the religious members William Wilberforce was chosen to be the group member due to his connection with the British parliament, the struggle continued but Wilberforce faced strong resistance to the abolishment of slave trade in parliament and this was due to the fact that there was a powerful dependence on slaves and slave trade. The first petition to abolish slave trade was made in 1783 but it failed by the vote where more member opposed the abolishment of slave trade. In 1787 a committee for abolishment of slave trade was founded, the new mission was to inform the public on the immoral acts of slavery, this movement involved writing books on slavery, posters and printings pamphlets and holding rallies. This brought attention to the entire public to abolish slave trade. In 1791 Wilberforce presented a bill to abolish slave trade but the bill lost by the vote where 163 votes opposed the bill and only 88 agreed to this proposal, however this did not stop the committee from further publicity through the visit to places to enlighten the public and writing anti slavery work. Clarkson who was a committee member toured all cities and ports of England to inform the public about the ills of slave trade and slavery. In 1804 there was a successful revolt by slaves in Haiti, this revolt which was known as the Haiti revolt brought about a sense of insecurity among the public members who owned slaves, during this years also there was an increase in the number of slave owners who were slain by their slaves and this sense of insecurity brought about members of the public to support the ant slavery movement even in parliament Wilberforce who was a member of parliament for this period and continued to introduce the anti terrorist bill each year and it was not until 1807 that the British parliament abolished slave trade through the vote by members of parliament. From the above discussion it is clear that the