Gerdes, Louise I. Cybercrime.

Gerdes, Louise I.  Cybercrime.  Cengage (Gale/Blackbirch/Greenhaven)    2013 243p  ISBN 978-0-7377-6313-3 series: Opposing Viewpoints  ms/hs  E-BNS  Nonfiction        

Cybercrime and the impact it has on society is the topic of this volume in the Opposing Viewpoint series.   The editor has compiled a selection of articles that address the devastating impact that cybercrime is having on individuals and society in general. Chapters look at whether a cybercrime constitutes a real crime or not, how this type of crime is perpetrated, and laws against cybercrime.  Many of the articles also contain sidebars that reference related topics, such as “Grooming’ Victims” found embedded in an article about online predators, on page 77, and “The Value of the Open-Source World” found embedded in an article on internet activism, on page 143.  While authors often play the role of devil’s advocate, this reader was dumbfounded to read articles supporting hacking and its impact on the security of any nation.  Also, it seems ill-conceived to use an article from “Extra!” as a source, even though the article is well sourced and most informative. 

With consideration for addressing the Common Core, three or four questions precede each chapter that will require higher-level thinking skills.  All-in-all, this is a very informative volume about a very important issue.     As always, the Opposing Viewpoints series is a must-have for any high-school collection, and many of the titles are appropriate and useful at the middle-school level as well.

Summary: Cybercrime and the impact it has on society is the topic of this volume in the Opposing Viewpoint series.      The editor has compiled a selection of articles that address the devastating impact that cybercrime is having on individuals and society in general.

Computer crimes                                             --Lynn Fisher