Cyber crime, the illegal activity committed on the Internet, is the fastest growing criminal activity in the world and is of major concern to the Government. From traditional online crime to new crimes targeting at information and communications networks, it covers a huge range of unlawful activities.
Access to information and communications technology (ICT) is globally available and increasingly used. Most Internet and e-mail users are involved in lawful business. However, some use the technology for unlawful activities. Global and transnational (跨国的) crimes can now be committed far distant from the place (or places) where the impact of that crime is felt.
Transnational hi-tech crime involves the criminal"s computer communicating by using a number of other machines to reach its intended target. This activity leaves a data record with the service provider. If the records are retained and the criminal has not concealed them, they can be used to trace (追踪) the criminal. However, these data records are not permanent. In many cases when law enforcement officials attempt to gain lawful access to this data, it may have been deleted.
As lawful use of ICT increases, criminals around the world increasingly use computers to commit traditional crimes. Computer is also an area of concern. According to the passage, cyber crime refers to _____.