Abstract
The authors consider the available approaches to the definition of computer crimes and, based on the analysis of existing approaches, formulate the authors’ concept of computer crime (cybercrime), under which it is necessary to recognize a socially dangerous act committed by sane individuals, encroaching on the rights and interests of information and telecommunication network users protected by law, information and telecommunications networks, by violation of security systems, the functioning of computer devices, through the creation, implementation, use or dissemination of prohibited or legally protected information. Deep interrelation of this type of offenses with other illegal acts is revealed and their high social danger is indicated.The emphasis is made on the latency of the crimes which makes it difficult to identify the perpetrators and bring them to criminal responsibility. Consideration is given to the features of these types of criminal acts with the offender being at a considerable distance from the place, in conditions of anonymity and, as a rule, not contacting with the victim. Specific examples that confirm the conclusions are given. Separate proposals have been made to counteract the crimes in question.DOI 10.14258/izvasu(2017)6-19