Internet crime is booming as more and more people use online services. Jackie and Callum talk about the language of some of the most common computer-related crimes, otherwise known as 'cybercrimes'.
This week's question: The word spam is defined by the New Oxford Dictionary of English as "Irrelevant or inappropriate messages sent on the Internet to a large number of newsgroups or users." But when did this definition of the word spam enter the New Oxford Dictionary?
a) 1993 b) 1995 c) 1998
Vocabulary from the programme:
piracy the crime of illegally copying and selling music, books, films etc.
to hack to use a computer to get into someone else's computer system without their permission Example: He managed to hack into the government's computer system and steal sensitive information.
identity theft a crime involving illegally using someone else's identity Example: Hundreds of people have been the victims of identity theft.
cyberstalking the use of the internet to repeatedly harass (upset or threaten) someone
a scam a trick involving getting someone's trust then exploiting it (e.g. by stealing money from them) Example: Internet scams are becoming more and more common.
to draw you in to get your confidence and trust Example: He drew her in by promising he would buy her lots of expensive gifts.
a conman someone who uses scams to exploit people Example: I thought he was going to be the man I'd marry, but it turned out he was just a conman who used me.
a cyber attack, cyber warfare the use of computers to attack or fight a war through electronic systems Example: Last year there was a cyber attack on the Estonian government.