L12: Societal Issues
L12: Reflection
This lesson made me realize that even though the internet has brought a lot of good, it’s also caused some serious problems. One of the biggest issues is how fast misinformation can spread. False news and rumors travel quicker online than ever before, and they can mess with people’s opinions and even affect things like elections.
We also talked about cyberbullying. Since people can hide behind a screen, they say things online that they probably wouldn’t say in person. It’s crazy how common online harassment has gotten.
Another thing that stood out to me was how much privacy is at risk. A lot of people, including myself sometimes, post personal stuff without thinking, and companies or hackers can take advantage of that. It made me more aware that I need to be a lot more careful about what I share online.
L12: Cybercrime Assignment
Rehabilitation Over Retribution
In today’s digital world, cyber-attacks are a growing threat, and this has raised the question of how we should punish cybercriminals. Some believe in retribution—punishment for the sake of justice. Others, like myself, argue for rehabilitation, which gives offenders the chance to reform and use their skills for good. Many cybercriminals are young and talented but make poor choices due to curiosity or peer pressure. With the right guidance, they can turn their skills around. Instead of locking them away, we should give them a path to make things right.
Marcus Hutchins is a perfect example. He once helped develop the Kronos banking malware but later became famous for stopping the global WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017. His actions saved countless systems. The court recognized that he had changed and sentenced him to time served and supervised release (Greenberg, 2020). That’s the power of rehabilitation—taking someone who caused harm and helping them become someone who prevents it.
Jonathan James, another young hacker, broke into NASA and Department of Defense systems as a teenager. Although he served a short sentence, the weight of continued suspicion and fear of prosecution drove him to suicide in 2008 (Poulsen, 2008). His case shows the mental toll retributive justice can have. Another hacker, Dylan Wheeler, also known as “Nebula1,” faced U.S. federal charges related to a hacking group that stole software from tech companies. Yet Wheeler later pivoted to work in security research, proving that with the right opportunity, change is possible (Cox, 2014).
Some people say being too lenient sends the wrong message, but rehabilitation doesn’t mean letting people off easy. It means holding them accountable while helping them change. With the right programs—like community service, education, and monitoring—we can reduce future crimes and even strengthen our defenses by turning hackers into protectors.
Cox, J. (2014, July 23). FBI’s most wanted hacker is actually a 20-year-old Australian stoner. Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/d7ygwz/the-fbi-is-after-a-20-year-old-australian-stoner-for-hacking
Greenberg, A. (2020, May 12). The confessions of Marcus Hutchins, the hacker who saved the internet. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/confessions-marcus-hutchins-hacker-who-saved-the-internet/
Poulsen, K. (2008, May 18). Infamous teen hacker commits suicide. Wired. https://www.wired.com/2008/05/infamous-teen/
