Hacking of Computer Systems and Cyber Crimes - Essay Example

Hacking of Computer Systems and Cyber Crimes For many years now, computers have been a part of human civilization in today’s world, thus, there have been key events and personalities that have shaped the history of computers and computing generally. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a summary of and a detailed review of two recent articles in the history of computers or computing; the articles are going to narrow down on the topic further, by focusing on hacking incidences and cyber security threats that have bedeviled leading companies such as Apple Inc in the recent past. The first article to be considered in this review is “Apple Mac Computers Hit in Hacker Attack, Researcher Says”; written by Jordan Robertson and has been sourced from Bloomberg where it featured on 5 April 2012. According to this article, a recent research has shown that over 6 Million users of Mac computers had reportedly fallen victim to hacker attacks; this is an indication that Apple Inc, a company that had been predominantly untargeted by hackers, had now become a prime target. The article further relates that, according to a Russian antivirus software maker Doctor Web, the hacking attack predominantly targets computers using Apple’s Mac OS X software as opposed to windows systems. The research makes it apparent that most of the attacks occurred in the US and Canada, and the company had successively sealed off a security hole that had been a passageway for the virus. In addition to that, the research determined that the malware in question, specifically meant for Mac computers, capitalized on a weakness in a version of Oracle Corp’s Java software that functions as a plug-in on web browsers. The research also rebuffs traditional claims that Mac computers cannot be hacked, by pointing out the shift in hacker activities from computers that use Microsoft’s windows operating systems to those using Apple’s Mac OS X. The research points out to the increase in Mac computer users in the world today that has hit a remarkable record of over 63 Million worldwide users today. Therefore, the research subtly posits that this could be the reason why hackers are now shifting their focus to this new and unexplored market niche that has the potential of swelling up further in the near future. Initially, Apple Inc has been an underdog in the computer operation systems business, and as such, it has been largely ignored by hackers due to its constrained market share. However, in the recent past, Apple Inc has risen above competition in this sector to rival industry giants like Microsoft Corp. In this respect, Apple Inc has taken a strategic position in the industry by increasing its market share considerably, that it has now attracted hacker activities. Conversely, industry giants like Microsoft Corp have traditionally been a haven for hackers and hacker activities due to their large market share; it is estimated that about 90% of the world’s desktop computers use the Microsoft Corps’s windows OS and this means that it has the largest numbers of victims. Numbers are very significant to the hackers because then they are able to transfer the malware to a large proportion of victims in a single attack; this highly promotes the hackers’ illicit money making schemes. The research establishes that Apple’s spokesman Bill Evans has declined to comment on the recent attacks, perhaps due to the implications of the incidence to the future strategic direction of the company. The sudden realization that the company was not hacker resistant anymore could potentially ruin the company’s prospects in the future because then it has lost one of its competitive advantages in the industry. It is understood that computers that use Apple Inc’s Mac OS X operating systems are equally vulnerable to hackers, just like the computers operating on Microsoft Corp’s windows operating system. The second article “Exclusive: Hacked companies still not telling investors” is by Joseph Menn, and appeared in Reuters on 2 February 2012. According to this article, a host of leading US companies whose computer systems had been breached because of cybercrimes had not disclosed this information, thus, undermining disclosure policies stipulated by securities regulators. The article highlights the belief by top US cyber security officials that incidences of corporate hacking had been rampant in the US, thus, prompting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue advisory to corporate to report hacking assaults and potential information breaches. The article cites Lockheed Corp, a defense contractor, as one of the many corporations that are not willing to disclose information about hacking incidences and cyber security threats. For instance, Lockheed Martin Corp, despite having survived a major and tenacious cyber-attack on its systems, it does not even identify hacking as a potential risk, leave alone disclosing that it had been hacked. The article further reveals that a Reuters’ review of over 2000 fillings provides evidence of new hacking incidences, which had only been downplayed as general risks, or left out altogether. Apparently, companies are working hard not to disclose hacking incidences and cyber security threats to avoid SEC’s enforcement of private lawsuits against them. Other firms that have been reported to have fallen victim to cyber-attacks include Mantech International Corp, CALCI International Inc, in addition to many defense and technology firms across the US; however, like the rest, these companies have also remained silent about the hacking incidences even in their fillings. The article points out that cyber security has increasingly become an issue of national concern in Washington, thus prompting the US president in his State of the Union address to direct a firm action on the legislative proposals. What seems to be at stake in all the cyber-attacks is important digital data, including, but not limited to blueprints, secret business formulas and strategic plans. Evidently, hosts of companies are hesitant to report such hacking incidences to SEC simply because they never find out, or because they do not wish to scare away potential investors in the businesses. This is in recognition that such hacking incidences could easily result to deformation of public reputation for individual companies; in this respect, negative reputation would eventually lead to financial losses due to remedial actions, losses of business opportunities or due to potential liability. This second article’s main idea is that, despite disclosure policies form SEC, corporations are not willing to report cyber security threats and hacking incidences this is in protection of their public reputation and financial profits, which stand at risk through any form of disclosure. The article still highlights the increasing threat paused by cyber security threats and hacking incidences, not only to business secrets, but also to other valuable information such as blueprints and strategic plans. This article also recommends action consideration of stern legislative proposals in addressing the cyber security threat, to safeguard infrastructure against malicious attacks. Ultimately, both articles provide very incisive and informative information about hacking incidences and cyber security threats that undermine the privacy and security of information systems. The writers have comprehensively dealt with the topic to greater depths, with a crispy clear understanding of the subject matter, providing sufficient statistical evidence to back up the information; elaborate examples and relevant case studies have been offered to help present the information of the articles to the readers. Eventually, the articles stand out as highly scholarly, authoritative and unbiased, thus lending credibility to the writers and the sources of publications. The articles have specifically accorded the topic the seriousness it deserves, especially in modern times, where a successful breach of an information system has an incredible potential to damage the reputation of corporations, resulting to financial losses. Both individuals and corporations can benefit greatly from these two articles because they provide firsthand information on the potential dangers of cyber assaults, and why security measures must be re-enforces to secure information systems. Works Cited Robertson, Jordan. “Apple Mac Computers Hit in Hacker Attack, Research says”. bloomberg.com. 5th April, 2012. Web. 27th Feb, 2013. < http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-05/apple-mac-computers-affected-by-hacker-attack-researcher-says.html> Menn, Joseph. “Exclusive: Hacked companies still not telling investors”. Reuters.com. 2nd Feb, 2012. Web. 21stFeb, 2013. Read More