The biggest factor that makes Computer Crimes possible is Victim Carelessness. Awareness and education can reduce the chance of someone becomming a victim.
The types and frequency of Computer Crimes are increasing at a rapid rate. Computer Crime was once mainly the result of insiders or disgruntled employees. Now just about everybody has access to the internet, professional criminals are taking advantage of this.
Specialized skills are no longer needed and a search on the internet can provide a fraudster with a plethora of tools that can be used to perpetuate fraud.
All too often carelessness leads to someone being a victim. People often use simple passwords or write them down in plain sight where they can be found by fraudsters. People throwing away papers loaded with account numbers, social security numbers, or other types of non-public personal information. There are phishing e-mail attempts where the fraudster tries to redirect a potential victim to a bogus site that resembles a legitimate site in an attempt to get the users’ login ID and password, or other credentials. There is also social engineering. Awareness and training can help reduce the chance of someone becoming a victim.
The following answers are incorrect:
The fraudster obtaining advanced training and special knowledge. Is incorrect because training and special knowledge is not required. There are many tools widely available to fraudsters.
Collusion with others in information processing. Is incorrect because as more and more people use computers in their daily lives, it is no longer necessary to have someone on the inside be a party to fraud attempts.
System design flaws. Is incorrect because while System design flaws are sometimes a factor in Computer Crimes more often then not it is victim carelessness that leads to Computer Crimes.
References: OIG CBK Legal, Regulations, Compliance and Investigations (pages 695 -697)