Cybercrime: The Psychology of Online Offenders

Cybercrime is a growing problem in the modern world. Despite the many advantages of computers, they have spawned a number of crimes, such as hacking and virus writing, and made other crimes more prevalent and easier to commit, including music piracy, identity theft and child sex offences. Understanding the psychology behind these crimes helps to determine what motivates and characterises offenders and how such crimes can be prevented. This textbook on the psychology of the cybercriminal is the first written for undergraduate and postgraduate students of psychology, criminology, law, forensic science and computer science. It requires no specific background knowledge and covers legal issues, offenders, effects on victims, punishment and preventative measures for a wide range of cybercrimes. Introductory chapters on forensic psychology and the legal issues of cybercrime ease students into the subject, and many pedagogical features in the book and online provide support for the student.

Author: Gráinne Kirwan, Andrew Power
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 08/08/2013
Pages: 280
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 9.60h x 7.40w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780521180214

About the Author
Power, Andrew: - Andrew Power is Head of the Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Ireland and is manager of the Centre for Creative Technologies and Applications. He has taught and supervised student research at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, and lectured in Universities in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Prior to his academic career Andrew worked for sixteen years in the ICT industry. His current research interests are in eGovernance, social networking and online democracy.Kirwan, Gráinne: - Gráinne Kirwan is a lecturer in psychology at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Ireland, teaching on both the BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology and the MSc in Cyberpsychology. She lectures in topics including forensic psychology, cyberpsychology, computer-mediated communication and the psychology of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Her doctorate research examined the ethics, motives and interpersonal relationships of hackers. She also holds an MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology, a Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching, and an MLitt in Psychology by Research.