Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Harmful Inventions
Computers and software have also introduced a number of harmful inventions that
are listed below, some of which did not exist before. Among the harmful inven-
tions caused by computers and software are identity theft, hacking, and computer
viruses. These are new and alarming criminal activities.
• Browser hijackers
• Computer botnets
• Computer keyboard tracking
• Computer spam
• Computer spyware
• Computer viruses
• Computer worms
• Computerized customer support
• Difficulty in correcting errors in computerized data
• Electronic voting machines without backup
• Hacking tools
• Identity theft
• Phishing
• Piracy
• Robotic telephone calls (robo-calls)
• Robotic weapons systems
• Smart weapons: bombs, drones, and missiles
• Spam
• Special viruses attacking industrial equipment
• Spyware
• Stock market software without anomaly shutoffs
• Unintelligible telephone voice menus
• Web pornography
These threats are comparatively new and all are increasingly hazardous in the
modern world. Indeed, identify theft has become one of the largest and most per-
vasive crimes in human history. It is also an example of a new kind of crime where
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