Computer Misconduct
Locate a newspaper or magazine article involving computer misconduct. Identify the article and the source (title, publication and date). Please write a brief synopsis explaining the article and its relevance towards misconduct.
Please submit your assignment according to the instructor’s instructions.
Computer Misconduct
Computer misconduct involves willful attacks and theft of information through unauthorized access to computer systems or by purposely spreading malicious and malware. Unauthorized access computer misconduct can results in alteration of software and data, password changing and conducting settings that prevent other users’ access to the system. This paper discusses a computer misconduct incidence provided in Infosecurity Magazine.
“Amex Employee Suspected of Wrongfully Accessing Customer Data to Commit Fraud”, is an article that was written by Sarah Coble and published on October 4, 2019. The article provides information about a former American Express employee who was under investigation following the allegation of accessing customer information intending to use it for fraudulent activities. The employee is said to commit computer misconduct by wrongfully accessing Amex customers’ personal information and to attempt to open financial accounts at other institutions. According to Amex, the breach compromised customers’ information including current or previous American Express Card account number, date of birth, Social Security number, and physical or billing address. However, when conducted by the number of customers affected by the employee computer misconduct action, Amex stated that “only a small number of our customers were impacted” (Coble, 2019). Amex compensated the impacted customers by offering them a free two-year membership that includes Experian’s identity theft and resolution service Identity Works.
The article’s relevance towards computer misconduct includes its expression about the illegality of unauthorized access to customers, organization, or other people’s information. Misconduct is considered criminal acts and if one is found guilty could face jail time or huge penalties. However, the article illustrates the importance of customers entrusting their personal information such as Social Security numbers to theft identity services. Organizations should also put in place mechanisms that can prevent identity theft of their customers, such as sending a notification to customers when their accounts or personal information is used for transactions or sign up.
References
Coble, S. (2019, October 4). Amex Employee Suspected of Wrongfully Accessing Customer Data to Commit Fraud. Infosecurity Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/amex-employee-suspected-of-fraud/
