Crime Online

To access bonus chapter "Examining State and Local Law Enforcement Perceptions of Computer Crime", click here.

The ubiquity of computers and the role of the Internet have drastically changed the landscape of crime and deviance. Computer technology enables offenders to anonymously target victims around the world, connect with others who share their interests, and participate in various crimes. The Internet and cellular telephony are increasingly incorporated into real world offenses, such as prostitution, where sex workers and clients can connect with minimal risk of detection. At the same time, new forms of offending have emerged as a direct consequence of technology, such as computer hacking, which can be used for both beneficial and illegal purposes. The Internet has also become an important environment for extremists and terror groups to communicate their beliefs globally in order to recruit others and generate funds.

In light of the increasing adoption of technology, it is critical that researchers explore the complex effects of computer technology on human behavior and the intersection of real world and virtual experiences. Crime Online uses empirical tests and unique data to provide detailed criminological explorations of multiple forms of cybercrime, including phishing, hacking, and sex crimes. This text also includes a comprehensive exploration of cyberterrorism and activism in online environments. The law enforcement and policy responses to cybercrimes at the local, state, and federal level are also discussed in detail. This work provides practical policy discussions that will benefit academics, law enforcement, legal counsel, and students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Specifically, the third edition includes updated sections on digital piracy and cyberterror. Three new chapters by well-known authors in the field include a qualitative assessment of computer hacking and fraud through a lens of criminological theory, an examination of experiences with the customers of prostitutes in an online review forum, and an overview of the state of cyberstalking research over the last decade. These revisions extend the scope of the third edition and make it an extremely valuable text for cybercrime scholars and students alike.

The following Teaching Materials are available:

• Multiple-choice/Essay question test banks in Word, .txt or pdf format. (Around 10 total questions per chapter)
• Test Bank in Blackboard and Moodle formats also available. Other LMS formats may be available; specify test bank type in your request.
• Test Bank also available through Respondus.

PowerPoint slides are available upon adoption. Sample slides from the full 107-slide presentation are available to view here. Email bhall@cap-press.com for more information.

"The third edition of Crime Online is, by far, one of the finest books related to cybercrime. Each chapter is extremely insightful and well-written and showcases the work of established and well-respected scholars who are conducting research in this area."
— Robert M. Worley, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Lamar University

"Holt has assembled a team of contributors who are experts in the field of cyber-crime. He and his colleagues provide a rich and deep look into the issues, making for a provacative book. With contributors who use strong methodologies, this book will become an important text for many courses. This book offers a strong contribution to the field that makes it a must-read for anyone who has an interest in cybercrime."
— George Higgins, University of Louisville

"A useful overview of the terrain as well as the challenges involved in addressing cybercrime. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries." — Choice Magazine (on the first edition)

"[A]n excellent compilation of brilliant research works by 19 dedicated authors. . . . This book will adorn almost all of the libraries of major universities and colleges that deal with criminology and law. . . . Considering the price of it, this book should find a place in every college/university student's library. The book is a must read for the police personnel, lawyers and cyber crime data and security professionals, as this will help them to understand traditional as well [as] new trends of online crimes. The book will be immensely useful for researches as well. Any researcher of digital communication, law and criminology would love to know about the recent trends of crimes that are happening online, the past and present scenario and the future impacts of the same." — International Journal of Cyber Criminology (on the first edition)