Wyoming
Division of Criminal Investigation
1.
Is it a crime
to send or receive child pornography images through the Internet? Yes,
it is a felony under both state and federal law.
2.Is it a crime to "hack" into a private or
public Internet site without permission?
Yes, it can be a felony under state and federal
law.
3. Is it a crime to deliberately load or
"infect" a private or public Internet site or computer system with a
"computer virus"? Yes, it can be a felony
under state and federal law.
4.
If I am being "stalked" or threatened by someone via an Internet
instant message, chat room or e-mail, is it a crime? It could be a crime depending on the type of
threats and activity. Under Wyoming law, W.S.
6-2-506 (b) (i), it is illegal for a person to harass another person by
communicating, anonymous or other wise by verbal, electronic, mechanical,
telegraphic, telephonic or written means in a manner that harasses.
5.
What do I do if I receive a threatening e-mail? Save
the e-mail and report it to a law enforcement agency of jurisdiction. If the
e-mail harassment persists, some Internet Service Providers can provide you
with e-mail "blocking" from harassing e-mail.
6.
If I am in an Internet "chat room" and am uncomfortable with the
conversation, what should I do? Be careful about releasing details about
yourself to others in a chat room. If you don't feel good about the
conversation, stop it and get out.
7.
What are my privacy rights on the Internet? Reputable
vendors on the Internet have privacy policies regarding release of your
personal information to others. The best practice is to be informed and aware
of your privacy rights with both vendors and Internet Service Providers. For
more information regarding cyber space privacy concerns, go the Federal Trade
Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/
8.
What can a parent do to protect children? Monitor what computer sites your children
access from home. Talk to them regarding what is appropriate and inappropriate
behavior on the Internet. You can purchase software that can screen the
Internet sites your children access with a computer. Some Internet Service
Providers provide this software free to their customers.
9.
What is the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) doing about
computer and high tech crimes? We have Special Agents
assigned to the Investigation Support Team (IST) in Cheyenne who have been
trained in the investigation of computer crimes and recovery of related
evidence. We also have a Computer and High Tech Crime Center at DCI
Headquarters in Cheyenne. We conduct joint investigations with local, state and
federal law enforcement agencies.
10
Who can I report Internet fraud schemes to? Report it
to your local law enforcement agency or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) and National White Collar Crime Center at their cyber tip line at http://www.ifccfbi.gov/
11.
Who can I report the use of an Internet or a computer virus or the “hacking” of
a computer system to? Report it to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), local law
enforcement agency or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
infrastructure protection at http://www.nipc.gov/