NCJ Number
95114
Date Published
1984
Length
82 pages
Annotation
Both the public and private sectors have important roles to play in combating computer crime.
Abstract
Study data came from 283 private organizations and public agencies, which were among the approximately l,000 surveyed by the American Bar Association (ABA) Criminal Justice Section Task Force on Computer Crime. The survey recipients included the 500 largest U.S. corporations; numerous banking, accounting, financial services, and computer/electronics firms; all major Federal departments and agencies, all State attorneys general, and a sample of district attorneys. The most significant types of computer crime were reported to be the use of computers to steal tangible or intangible assets, the destruction or alteration of data, the use of computers to embezzle funds, the destruction or alteration of software, and the use of computers to defraud consumers, investors, or users. Respondents regarded computer crime as more important than many other types of white-collar crime, although less important than most violent crimes. About 48 percent of the respondents had experienced computer crime within the past 12 months. Responses regarding steps taken to prevent respondents had experienced and deter computer crime, assessments of the most effective responses, comments regarding potential Federal law, data tables, and appendixes presenting the survey instrument and ABA recommendations on computer crime are supplied.