Identity Thefts Using Peer-To-Peer Networks

According to a March 19, 2008 news article affix on calculatorworld.com, a 35 year old Seattle man, Gregory Kopiloff, reportedly stole identity information from victims using peer-to-peer (P2P) file share networks between the months of March 2005 and August of 2007 (Vijayan, 2008). Kopiloff used software much(prenominal) as Limewire and Soulseek, to snoop for banking and credit card information be to opposite users via these file sharing networks. To reward the selective information, he gained price of admission to other people’s computers and searched specifically for federal income measure returns, student financial aid applications and credit reports stored on other user’s systems (Vijayan, 2008). He also used the data to screen potential victims based on their income levels and credit histories in order to identify the most credit worthy individuals. He consequently used the unlawfully obtained data to open double-faced credit card accounts or to make fraudulent purchases of high-end computers, cellular phones and audio players that could easily be re exchange. The illegally obtained merchandise was then shipped to different locations around the metro Seattle area to avoid detecting from law enforcement. After he received the merchandise, he sold it for approximately half of the sales price.




Prosecutors have traditionally displayed a great deal of reluctance in pursuing computer criminals due to the lack of knowledge, general apathy towards cyber criminals and the non-threatening stereo-type associated with cyber criminals (Britz, 2004). This reluctance prevents victims of cyber crimes from acquire crime victim compensation and receiving justice for their victimization. Prosecutors in this case, however, expound the use of Kopiloff’s peer-to-peer networks as a “particularly deathly and devious” way to commit identity theft screening great empathy for the victims of his acts (Vijayan, 2008). At the time of his arrest in family line of 2007, he had in his possession between $73,000 and...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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