Cybercrime Report: Ethical and Moral Frameworks in the Digital Age

This report delves into the multifaceted issue of cybercrime, examining its various dimensions through the lens of ethical and moral frameworks. It begins by defining cybercrime and highlighting its increasing threat in the digital age, emphasizing the role of technology, software, and networks in facilitating fraudulent activities, phishing, and hacking. The report explores the perspectives of Kizza and Lessig on the causes of cybercrime, including design flaws in systems, human error, and the lack of robust cyber laws and monitoring. It analyzes the impact of cyber-attacks, such as the Wannacry and Notpetya ransomware incidents, and discusses the responsibilities of companies and governments in preventing and mitigating cyber threats. The report compares and contrasts Kizza's emphasis on network interruptions and Lessig's focus on human error and the sharing of confidential information. It concludes by underscoring the importance of strict cyber laws, their effective monitoring, and the need for ethical considerations in the digital landscape.

Moral and Ethical Frameworks Concepts

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Who constitute cybercrime and who is responsible for it...........................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Cybercrime means crime that is done by using computer, software, network, etc. with the
aim of conducting fraud, phishing or hacking. The rise in cybercrime in digital world has
emerged as major threat. It has created a belief among companies that advancement in
technology can be danger as it can lead to crime cyber. It has been said that in coming years
cybercrime can o attack on confidential information of government. This has also resulted in
deficiencies in ethics and moral perpetrators. A cybercrime is divided into many categories such
as privacy violation, fraud, pirated software, etc.
MAIN BODY
Who constitute cybercrime and who is responsible for it
It has been evaluated by kizza that there are many sources which constitute a
cybercrime. Also, some sources can lead to cyber attack as well. These are as follows;-
Design flaws- A system is built by two major components that are hardware and
software. Any flaw in any of above component two can lead to threat if cybercrime (Shapiro &
Stefkovich, 2016). Vulnerabilities can damage a system to a great extent. Besides this, security
issues are major concern as well.
One example of cybercrime is Wannacry that occurred in 2017. It was a pseudo
ransomware that attacked various organisations all over the world. In this Notpetya that was also
a ransomware which damaged many countries infrastructure in 2017 (Top cybercrimes of 2017.
2017). Maersk was highly impacted due to this cyber-attack. Kizza said that, constitution of
crime was bitcoin and payments which were transferred over network. However, Lessig's stated
that increase in financial activities is common reason behind increase in cybercrime.
They both agreed that in this the companies and government were responsible as they did
not enforce cyber laws like, Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act 1990 etc. . Also, there
was no proper measures taken by companies to protect malware or ransomware. Ransomware is
a type of malware that blocks or limits access to your computer or files, and demands a ransom
be paid to the scammer for them to be unlocked.

Human error- It is a very common reason that lead to threat or vulnerabilities. This can
result in cybercrime that will impact system (Hibbert & Cunliffe, 2015). A human error can
occur due to complacency, memory lapse, etc.
Another example can be taken is a global space station software which was hacked and
used to control humidity and temperature of living space. Due to this NASA was forced to close
down their systems for three weeks that lead to $1.7 million loss. Kizza is Seattel WTO protest
and mass computer attacks that are being increasingly used to avenge attackers consider to be
injustice. On the other hand, Lessig’s (2006) stated that cybercrime is comprise of two elements
that is cyber space and internet. He has shown that how core values of cyber space have changed
in recent times.
Assumptions
Kizza
 Cybercrime occurs to create interruptions over the network. Kizza stated that there are
interruptions in network (Sovacool & et.al., 2017). Due to this cyber attacks occurs.
 Another assumption is major cyber-attacks which occurs in financial transactions. But it
was analysed that cyber-attacks are done to steal confidential data and information of
people and companies.
It can be concluded that most cyber-attacks happen for the purpose of financial gain.. It creates
interruptions in network and data is stolen.
Lessig's
Cybercrime occurs due to human error. Lessig's argued that crimes occur because of
sharing confidential information on internet.
Crimes occurs due to weak enforcement of cyber laws. But Lessig's argued that even
laws are implemented it must be monitored (Chell & et.al., 2016). The reason for cybercrime is
poor monitoring and compliance with cyber laws.

It can be said that it is important to comply with strict cyber laws to control and monitor
cybercrime. Apparently, views of both the authors are placed at right position. This is true that
most of cybercrimes occur due to interruptions in network. There needs to stricter laws
developed by government and companies to reduce attacks. Also, laws must be monitored so that
changes can be made accordingly.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that cybercrime is occurs due to various factors that are involved .
There are several cyber laws which are implemented but non monitoring has led to increase in
crimes. There is some involvement of human error as well. Thus, it can be said that Kizza and
Lessig's s argued on the fact that cyber-attacks occur due to human error.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Chell, E. & et.al., (2016). Social entrepreneurship and business ethics: Does social equal
ethical? Journal of business ethics, 133(4), 619-625.
Hibbert, P., & Cunliffe, A. (2015). Responsible management: Engaging moral reflexive
practice through threshold concepts. Journal of business ethics, 127(1), 177-188.
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical leadership and decision making in
education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.
Sovacool, B. K & et.al., (2017). New frontiers and conceptual frameworks for energy
justice. Energy Policy, 105, 677-691.
Online
Top cybercrimes of 2017. 2017 [Online] Available through:
<https://www.computerweekly.com/news/450431761/Top-10-cyber-crime-stories-of-2017>