Class 15: Computer Crime, Revisited

Held Wednesday, February 16, 2000

Overview

Today, we continue our discussion of computer crime and computer security by revisiting the text and considering techniques we might use to prevent these crimes.

Question 15 for today's class: Describe a technique we can use to conceal information.

Question 16 for Friday's class: Should the government have the right to access encrypted files?

Notes

• I don't have your work-to-date graded (but I do have a good story about why). It's on my priority list for tonight and tomorrow.
• Don't forget that I need your responses to Risks 20.78 some time today.
• Risks 20.79 is now available. Comments are due Monday.
• I've found some interesting books from the National Academy Press. If anyone would like to discuss part or all of these books, we might modify the schedule to include them.
  • Trust in Cyberspace
  • The Digital Dillema: Intellectual Property in the Information Age
• I was planning to discuss JavaScript next week (JavaScript is a language used for programming Web pages) but, given your reactions to writing algorithms, was not sure how you felt about that.
  • I think we'll understand many topics better if we try to write algorithms in a programming language.
  • I also understand that many of you find that idea frustrating.

Contents

• Class Structure
• Some Questions

Summary

• Computer security
  • Who is responsible?
  • What actions can be taken
• Handouts:
  • Risks 20.79
  • Your responses to Risks 20.78
  • Your responses to question 15: Describe a technique we can use to conceal information.

Class Structure

Today we'll try a different way to look at these issues. Instead of the semi-recitation that we've done for the past few days, I'm putting you in charge of the discussion. I'll choose one of you to start (and may choose other roles, too).

• Discussion leader: Ivy
• Fact checker: Jae
• Devil's advocate: Adan
• Recorder: Liz

Some Questions

I think it may help to start with some broad questions:

• What do Forester and Morrison say about computer crimes?
• What techniques do you think we might use to prevent these kinds of crimes?