Cybercrime vs. Cyberterrorism: Understanding the Difference - Essay Sample

Introduction

It is important to note that there are different levels of insecurity. Notably, cybercrime and cyber terrorism relate in so many ways and should be well researched for easy understanding. Therefore it is vital to study and understand how the two easily relate or vary. Cybercrime is the attack of physical or convention things whose primary aim is to attack an entire infrastructure (Chriss, 2007). It entails the attack on a specified attack on a computer or server whereby a malicious code on the system can quickly spread. However, cyber terrorism can be termed as a politically initiated attack against computer programs, policies, and information. It results in violence against various groups, such as national groups. In better terms, cyber terrorism is an enhanced way through which terrorist langue their activities on a large scale deliberately and disrupting computer networks. And this is made possible through the creation of computer worms, viruses, and other software.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

However, terrorism can be viewed as quite strange and has a variety of various causes. The causes are highly likely to bring issues in any modern-day state, and mostly they are motivated by worldly desires. The literature focuses on different countries which have experienced terrorism in recent years and their possible cause while showing they could have been avoided (Chriss, 2007). It shows there are a variety of economic agents which propel a country to conduct different things, therefore, achieving things they had intended. It shows that in most cases, terrorism and crime are motivated by politics which are also prevalent in cybercrime and terrorism. Economic causes also have a role to play in ensuring that all the evidence is well understood in different ways.

Therefore there is a considerable similarity between its causes and how they relate to each other. It is important to note that if the reasons are averted the act itself can be stopped ensuring there is peace. It is important not to underestimate any cause as it can lead to enormous consequences. It also shows how different criminal activities are coordinated from the internet and the influence of technology negatively (Chriss, 2007). It discusses how, with technological advances, there has been an increase in terrorist attacks and how the same platform can be used to curb the contrary vice.

Besides, there a lot of criminological explanations that can explain the causes of cybercrime and terrorism. Criminals tend to justify their acts in many ways. In most cases, they claim that it is a revelation from God, or there are following their scriptures. Other times they claim that they do not believe in the political system and therefore believe it is vital to change the government (Clough, 2010). They claim that the government is playing a significant role in ensuring that they are tied in poverty, and this is not mostly the case. Most terrorist believe that the ruling government is not following what they had promised on the election and therefore tend to act as the opposition (Clough, 2010). Although not all of their explanations seem to be accurate or can be followed, they hold some truth. Therefore it is good to understand why there are terrorist activities before developing ways to stop them.

Besides, society has tasked the police and the judiciary with maintaining peace and order. The police main job is to arrest culprits who take part in different criminal activities while the court enforces the law (Conway, 2017). It is a fundamental way to make sure that society is free from crime, but many scholars have argued it is not the best. It is best to find other solutions for achieving fairness in a community where there must be people of different calibers. In society, a lot of factors must be undertaken to choose those who should become police. And an audit conducted from time to time to ensure they are still working in the right way. The cops are essential in matters of ensuring there is peace though they have a lot of political influence as they are workers of the government.

Arguably, the police are seen to create more chaos leading to unrest among citizens. For instance, if the government wants to enforce a specific rule, especially in non-democratic states. They mostly use the police, and this is quite unfortunate as sometimes even the law is unpopular (Conway, 2017). The government can, therefore, manipulate it quickly and make sure it works on its terms which can be detrimental for the citizens. Just like that the judiciary most of the police officers are participating in corrupt deeds. And therefore, there is no way that they can be free and fair in their dealings. In most government offices, especially in third world countries, there are a lot of fraudulent transactions which take part which is very hard to stop. The government employees claim to be lowly paid and thus need to find other ways in which to gain money to sustain their status.

On the other hand, the judiciary has so many loopholes as it mainly relies on evidence. Crimes, especially those involving the internet, have a massive chance of lacking sufficient and therefore the culprits cannot be brought to justice. In many scenarios, the judiciary does not always make the right decisions, and consequently, they are a lot of innocent people who suffer because of various choices (Von Solms & Van Niekerk, 2013). It is hard to prove that a particular person did not commit a specific crime. And yet they have been framed such that all the evidence points to them as the culprits. Senior officials also have a way of manipulating the judiciary as they control the government and the judges may favor them in their rulings. And this is because they may fear to convict the officials as sometimes they can be sacked or worse face death. Judges must face death threats, and their jobs are always hazardous.

Besides, there are many other ways in which society can ensure they are happy. Citizens may be required to develop policies which they feel are favorable to them. It is the democratic right of every citizen to freedom of speech. Thus they should be able to create their policies which they require to govern them. Forming of help groups whose main task is to help the youth is important because they will be swamped. And not consider taking part in criminal activities (Von Solms & Van Niekerk, 2013). Most communities are getting mixed up as most of the youths are not employed. And thus do not have anything to do rather than take part in criminal activities. Therefore different programs should be put in place to offer job opportunities which they should engage in doing. As a result, they become swamped and do not have any time for criminal activities. The drug use of many people has also contributed to an increase in crimes. Therefore, it is vital to find a way through which to stop drug abuse as it will play a great deal in the peace of the citizens.

Also, there are different types of governments which operate quite differently. Each society has a way it is ruled, and thus it is important to note how they influence or affect both terrorism and crime. Open democracies can be very hard in the prevention of crime and terrorism. This is mainly because the citizens have the rights to doing what they think is best. The government does not have so much power to get into their citizens' issues. Therefore it can be quite hard to develop ways in which to curb terrorism. There is also freedom of expression, and consequently, they can quickly post anything without the fear of the government. Increase in liberty can have a significant issue in how they can conduct their problems differently, and this can play a considerable role in the rise in insecurity levels.

Besides, in open democracy, the government must have sufficient and tangible evidence before taking a matter to court. The judicial system is free and fair can openly make their judgment, and this can affect the government from conducting its schemes to stop or even better counter-terrorism. It is a considerable task dealing with people who know their rights and terrorist can also hire lawyers who can easily win the court cases. Notably, open democracy is viewed as one of the key reasons as to why there is an increase in crime and terrorism. Citizen often oversteps their rights and take part in activities which are against their rights. Citizens think that they have a right to do anything that they deem is right while this is true it can have diverse effects. Most people do not know how a computer system can have distinct adverse effects if used in the wrong way.

However, it has advantages such as culprits can be charged in court. And this is very important as it helps individuals learn their fate in a reasonable manner. Those who take part in criminal activities can also be taken to court by other citizens. Majority of the citizens can also develop policies which can help in the governing of different issues, mainly those involving crime, its effects, and how it can be stopped. It is, therefore, advantageous to have an open democracy while dealing with issues concerning crime and terrorism (Wells, 2017). Patriotric citizens have a positive way of expressing their problems and therefore, can easily take different terrorist to court or give sufficient information to the government about the culprits.

On the contrary, authoritarian regimes are the easiest way to prevent criminal and terrorist activities. Limiting peoples freedoms makes it easy to manipulate them in all forms. And ensuring that even the citizens, while they are communicating their information, can be intercepted easily. Most authoritarian regimes are less likely to be affected by the terrorist as they even fear the leaders (Wells, (2017). The government quickly gets information on terrorist activities and act before they perform anything terrible. It citizens continuously live in fear and thus cannot take part in aiding terrorist in any way.

Although terrorist mostly thrives in chaos and can develop ways in which to use them to their advantage. Therefore they can quickly uncover ways in which to create unrest and start doing their criminal activities. Thus they can easily overthrow the government or hold it hostage to its demands. It is tough to stop a tremendous terrorist attack in an authoritarian regime as the government does not have the backing of its citizens and the can even side with the terrorist (Von Solms & Van Niekerk, 2013). Therefore it is essential to stop any terrorist attack before it happens by deploying sufficient methods to stop it. Therefore it is better liberty and freedom as there is peace.

References

Chriss, J. J. (2007). Social control: An introduction. Polity.doi/3652-765

Clough, J. (2010). Cybercrime Principles.doi/786-786

Conway, M. (2017). Determining the role of the internet in violent extremism and terrorism: Six suggestions for progressing research. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 40(1), 77-98.doi/365-567

Von Solms, R., & Van Niekerk, J. (2013). From information security to cyber security. computers & security, 38, 97-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2013.04.004Reference

Wells, J. T. (2017). Corporate fraud handbook: Prevention and detection. John Wiley & Sons.doi/054-5637