Computer crime – how to protect your company?
The threat of computer crime is constantly growing, and hackers primarily target businesses. The vast majority of companies constantly use digital solutions, especially online, so it's worth understanding what can threaten the security of computer systems.
What are computer crimes?
The term "computer crime" is a collective term for all crimes that can be committed using computers and other IT devices. The exact definition may vary slightly across legal acts. For example, the Polish Penal Code does not explicitly define this concept, instead introducing separate articles for specific acts of this type.
Criminals most often directly target confidential data, but such crimes can also include, for example, identity theft or copyright infringement. It is worth noting that this term encompasses hacking, software piracy, and the distribution of malicious programs.
Examples of Computer Crimes
What are some common types of computer crimes? Examples include hacking, eavesdropping, various types of fraud and forgery, as well as the increasingly frequent DDoS attacks and the violation of data integrity through ransomware. Importantly, cybercrime is constantly evolving, as online solutions become increasingly prevalent in everyday life and the operations of companies in virtually every industry. For this reason, new types of computer crimes are constantly emerging.
Computer Sabotage
According to the definition used in Polish law, computer sabotage is an act intended to disrupt the operation of a computer system. The article describing this crime also specifies the methods used to carry out this act, including unauthorized modification of data or violation of system integrity. The penalty ranges from 3 months to 5 years in prison.
Computer Espionage
In this case, Polish law does not directly address this type of computer crime, but general provisions regarding espionage apply. It primarily involves acting for the benefit of another country. This is a very serious offense – it carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, and individuals directing foreign intelligence services can receive up to 25 years in prison.
Computer Eavesdropping
There are also no separate provisions for this offense. However, computer eavesdropping usually also means illegal access to confidential information, which can be punishable by a fine, restriction of liberty, or imprisonment for up to two years.
The Penal Code and Computer Crimes
What is computer crime under the Penal Code? This term has not yet been directly defined. However, our laws specify various acts that are considered computer crimes, including:
- computer fraud,
- computer forgery,
- preventing authorized persons from obtaining information, including preventing access,
- computer piracy (described along with theft in Article 278 of the Penal Code).
Computer crimes listed in the Penal Code also include creating hacking tools and impersonating other people. Penalties for computer crimes vary widely. In many cases, fines are primarily applied (e.g., preventing access and preventing the obtaining of information), while in others, criminal liability for computer crimes can be up to 10 years in prison.
Computer crime in Poland
The scale of this phenomenon in our country continues to grow. According to police statistics, counting all computer crimes in the Penal Code, as many as 55,000 such incidents were recorded in 2020 – a 50% increase compared to 2016.
Most computer crime cases involve the spread of malicious programs such as ransomware. This type of software blocks access to files or devices until a ransom is paid to hackers.
What data is most often targeted by computer crime?
Hackers typically target confidential personal data, as well as information providing access to company systems. It's worth being particularly vigilant about all matters related to company finances.
The role of intellectual property protection should also be emphasized. This is another area where we can lose a lot through violations of privileges and unauthorized access to data – for many companies, crimes in this area can generate significant losses.
How to protect your company from computer crime?
Above all, it's important to know which computer crimes listed in the Penal Code and other documents pose the greatest threat to our company. This will allow us to respond much better if such activities are detected. A security audit and the implementation of the recommendations identified by the security audit are the first step. The next step is ongoing employee education – all companies should invest in cybersecurity and data protection training.
Properly preparing the company's infrastructure is also crucial. Backups, data replication, cloud data backup, offline data backup, antivirus software, and firewalls are just some of the solutions that can be used to increase security against computer crime.
Ensure your company's security with Online Support. We offer IT services, including computer network management and data backup, to protect your company's data. Unauthorized access or cyberattacks can effectively destroy valuable files, so don't hesitate to contact us. We also offer cybersecurity training – increased employee awareness means greater company security.
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What IT solutions do we use at Support Online?
When is it worth using an IT company?
Why is it worth hiring an IT company rather than a freelance IT specialist?
What are the advantages of working with IT Support Online?
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