Alongside its positive impact of providing a global reach, the Internet is prone to a variety of abuses. In the 1990s it was unauthorised access of computers and impairment of the operation of computers through the introduction of viruses and worms that took centre stage. Since then the potential of the Internet for fraudulent activities has been realised by the criminal fraternity and, in recent years, we have seen, for instance, the rise of identity theft and the widespread distribution of offensive and illegal materials. The collection of essays in this volume, while being highly selective, provides a snapshot of the parameters of computer crime, the legal response and discussions surrounding ways to improve the security of cyberspace.

Alongside its positive impact of providing a global reach, the Internet is prone to a variety of abuses. In the 1990s it was unauthorised access of computers and impairment of the operation of computers through the introduction of viruses and worms that took centre stage. Since then the potential of the Internet for fraudulent activities has been realised by the criminal fraternity and, in recent years, we have seen, for instance, the rise of identity theft and the widespread distribution of offensive and illegal materials. The collection of essays in this volume, while being highly selective, provides a snapshot of the parameters of computer crime, the legal response and discussions surrounding ways to improve the security of cyberspace.

Alongside its positive impact of providing a global reach, the Internet is prone to a variety of abuses. In the 1990s it was unauthorised access of computers and impairment of the operation of computers through the introduction of viruses and worms that took centre stage. Since then the potential of the Internet for fraudulent activities has been realised by the criminal fraternity and, in recent years, we have seen, for instance, the rise of identity theft and the widespread distribution of offensive and illegal materials. The collection of essays in this volume, while being highly selective, provides a snapshot of the parameters of computer crime, the legal response and discussions surrounding ways to improve the security of cyberspace.