Mekhi Booker

Old Dominion University

CYSE201S

April 10th, 2024

Andriy Slynchuk has highlighted eleven common online activities that may be illegal, underscoring the importance of understanding the legal boundaries in the digital realm. Among these, five serious violations stand out due to their potential to cause significant harm or legal repercussions. The first is hacking, which involves unauthorized access to computer systems, often leading to data theft or system damage. This is a grave offense because it compromises the security and privacy of individuals and organizations. The second serious violation is identity theft, where individuals use someone else’s personal information without consent, often resulting in financial loss or damage to the victim’s reputation. The third serious offense is the distribution of copyrighted material without permission, which undermines intellectual property rights and can lead to substantial financial losses for creators and businesses. The fourth serious violation is online harassment or cyberbullying, which can have severe emotional and psychological impacts on victims. Finally, the fifth serious offense is engaging in online scams or fraud, such as phishing schemes, which deceive users into providing sensitive information, leading to financial fraud or identity theft. These offenses are particularly serious because they exploit technology to infringe on individuals’ rights, privacy, and security, causing tangible harm and eroding trust in online platforms.