Cybercrime is now commonplace and presents new challenges in the prevention and detection of crime.  Drawing on a broad introduction to the history, functions and technologies of the Internet this course addresses issues of prevention and regulation and also describes the evolution of criminal activities involving computers.  Illustrative topics will include identify theft, spam, malware, phishing, fraud, and illicit drug market facilitated by the dark net. Students will gain an understanding of common forms of cybercriminal activity and the technological and 'social engineering' methods used to undertake such crimes. Current methods to prevent, investigate and detect computer-related offences, using case-based and problem based learning approaches, will be used to illustrate practical, legal and regulatory measures available to counter its impacts. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the main theoretical and cross-disciplinary approaches (criminological, legal and information security/management) in the study of cybercrime and the regulation of the Internet;
2. understand the structure and evolution of the Internet and its basic operations in the context of the emerging crime threats and trends in cyberspace;
3. identify the main typologies, characteristics, activities, actors and forms of cybercrime, including the definitional, technical and social (victim centered) aspects of crime commission;
4. evaluate behavioural assumptions about the role of offenders and victims in cyberspace; and
5. analyse the impact of computer crime on government, businesses and individuals and discuss the impact of cybercrime on society.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video ZOOM conferencing for interactive learning during tutorial, email and Wattle messaging tools for communication.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Introduction and Administration
2	Typology and theories (I)
3	Typology and theories (II)
4	History of Cybercrime and Legal Responses
5	Social Engineering: Misinformation and Fake News
6	Financial Crimes
7	Darknet Markets and Deviant Communities
8	Online Drug Markets
9	Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering
10	Predatory & Content Crimes
11	Terror and Conflict in Cyberspace: The Rise of Digital Weapons
12	Advancement and the future + Summary

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration will begin via the Wattle page in Week 2. More details to be provided in Week 1.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Weekly lectorial and workshop activities	10 %	1; 2; 3; 4; 5
Problem-based learning (PBL) group presentation	15 %	2; 3; 4; 5
Problem-based learning (PBL) group report	20 %	2; 3; 4; 5
Quiz 1: Individual multiple- choice & short answer online test	25 %	1; 3; 4; 5
Quiz 2: Individual multiple- choice & short answer online test	30 %	1; 3; 4; 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly lectorial and workshop activities

Across the semester, there will be eight problem-based learning (PBL) activities. Students will work in groups of 4–5 to complete these activities during the scheduled 2-hour lectorial and 1-hour workshop sessions. Regular attendance and active participation in both sessions are expected, as each activity builds progressively on your group's project.

To provide flexibility, only your best six of the eight activities will count towards your final mark for this assessment component. Together, these six activities are worth 10% of your final course grade, with each counted activity contributing 1.67%.

Assessment Task 2

Problem-based learning (PBL) group presentation

Working in groups of 4–5, students will investigate a contemporary cybercrime issue or case, drawing on academic literature, government reports, news media, and other credible sources. Groups will identify a key problem, critically analyse current trends and challenges, and present evidence-based, innovative solutions that integrate technical, legal, and criminological perspectives. The presentation assesses students' ability to conduct research, collaborate effectively, communicate complex ideas, and develop practical recommendations for addressing cybercrime issues. Assessment Tasks 2 and 3 are connected, with students working in the same groups on the same problem-based learning topic for both tasks. Group presentations will be held during scheduled class time, with different groups presenting in allocated weeks across the semester.

Assessment Task 3

Problem-based learning (PBL) group report

Working in groups of 4–5, students will prepare a 1,500–2,000-word policy brief that builds on the same cybercrime issue examined in their group presentation (Assessment Task 2). The brief should critically analyse an existing policy, or the absence of an adequate policy, by assessing its strengths and limitations and explaining why change is needed. Drawing on credible academic, government, industry, and legal sources, students should integrate relevant criminological theory and consider technological and legal contexts to develop clear, practical, and evidence-based recommendations for policymakers or other relevant stakeholders. Assessment Tasks 2 and 3 are connected: students will remain in the same groups and address the same problem-based learning topic in both tasks. The group policy brief is due two weeks after the group’s presentation.

Assessment Task 4

Quiz 1: Individual multiple- choice & short answer online test

Quiz 1 is an individual online assessment comprising multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The quiz will be completed during the mid-semester break and will assess students' understanding of the concepts, theories, and case studies covered in the first half of the course. It is designed to evaluate students' knowledge, critical thinking, and ability to apply course content to cybercrime-related issues.

Assessment Task 5

Quiz 2: Individual multiple- choice & short answer online test

Quiz 2 is an individual online assessment comprising multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The quiz will be completed at the end of the semester and will assess students' understanding of concepts, theories, and case studies covered throughout the course, with an emphasis on material from the second half of the semester. It is designed to evaluate students' knowledge, critical thinking, and ability to apply course content to contemporary cybercrime issues.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

nil

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations online quizzes.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students