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Top 7 Internet Crime Questions

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on May 10, 2016 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

We're all on the Internet now, which means criminals are, too. And some unwitting Internet users can become criminals if they're not careful.

In many ways, law enforcement and the general public are still figuring out how to best utilize the Internet, what's out there, and what constitutes criminal behavior online. So here are some of the biggest Internet crime questions facing cops, hackers, and the rest of us:

1. Are There Illegal Internet Search Terms?

You boot up, log in, and throw a few search words into Google to figure something out -- have you already committed a crime?

2. Illegal Downloads: What Are the Penalties?

Most of us know what content is for free legally, and what content we're illegally taking for free. But you might not know just how much trouble you can get into for doing so.

3. Are Online Rants Criminal Threats? Supreme Court to Weigh In

Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, or some other online forum, there's a difference between Constitutionally-protected free speech and criminal threats.

4. Can a YouTube Video Send You to Jail?

Copyright infringement, recording criminal activity, probation violations -- there's a plethora of ways to get in trouble on YouTube, so be careful out there.

5. Is It Illegal to Join Anonymous?

The collective of coders, hackers, protesters, and computer geeks has claimed responsibility for some of the biggest Internet crimes. So are you in trouble if you claim an affiliation with Anonymous?

6. What Are the Criminal Penalties for Hacking?

Speaking of hackers, what could the government do to you if you get caught hacking? Your sentence could depend on how much damage you do.

7. Why Are Cops Asking for Twitter, Google User Data?

Generally, law enforcement would like as much information as possible to prevent and solve crimes. So what's so important about social media data?

If you've been charged with hacking, online threats, illegal downloads, or any other kind of computer crime, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

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