Tracking cyberstalkers: a cryptographic approach *
Mike Burmester
Peter Henry
Leo S. Kermes
Abstract
Stalking is a pattern of behavior over time in which a stalker seeks to gain access to, or control over, an unwilling victim. Such actions range from the benign to the malicious and may cause emotional distress or harm to the victim. With the widespread adoption of new technologies, new forums of Internet-mediated discourse now exist which offer stalkers unprecedented scope to locate and exert influence over victims. Cyberstalking, the convergence of stalking and cyberspace, has created new challenges for the prevention, detection, and prosecution of this new phenomenon as the traditional methods of detection by witnesses and enforcement through physical restraining orders often are inadequate.
In this paper we suggest a cryptographic approach for tracking cyberstalkers. We first define the threat model in terms of the profile of a cyberstalker, as well as legal and law enforcement constraints. We then describe a monitoring system that addresses the basic admissibility requirements of our threat model, by capturing and verifying circumstantial evidence for use in cyberstalking investigations.
The 2005 Schubmehl-Prein Prize for
Best Essay on Social Impact of Computing
Kevin W. Bowyer and C. Dianne Martin
This is the inaugural year for the Schubmehl-Prein Competition for best analysis
of the social impact of a particular aspect of computing technology. The purpose
of the Schubmehl-Prein competition is to encourage students to develop a broader
and deeper understanding of how computing technology impacts our society. Our
society desperately needs future leaders who have the ability to make well-considered
judgements about the social impact of new technology. The topic for the 2005
competition is, The Effects on Individual Privacy and National Security of
Adopting a Biometric National Identity Card in the United States. The topic
for the competition was selected by the judges, Professor Kevin W. Bowyer at
the University of Notre Dame and Professor C. Dianne Martin at the George Washington
University. The motivation for this particular topic at this particular time
probably needs no explanation.
This year¿s competition was open to high-school students who were juniors
in the 2004-2005 academic year, and who ranked in the top one-fifth of the
junior class at their school. We were impressed that the winning entries were
able to draw on a broad range of references, make a number of insightful observations,
and develop a sound analysis of the topic. Review comments were provided to
the authors of the winning essays, and we are happy to endorse the revised
versions of three winning essays to appear in the SIGCAS Computers and Society
magazine. The winners of the 2005 Schubmehl-Prein Prize for Best Essay on the
Social Impact of Computing are:
First Place: Jennifer Fujawa
Second Place: Amanda Woodcock
Third Place: Patrick Kosciuk
The first-place award is $1,000, the second-place award is $500, and the
third-place award is $250.
Funding to support the competition comes from the Schubmehl-Prein Family Chair
endowment at the University of Notre Dame. The endowment was established in
1989 as a gift from H. Edward Prein and his wife, Jane Schubmehl Prein, in
memory of June's father, Raymond J. Schubmehl, a member of the Notre
Dame Engineering faculty for 50 years. Raymond Schumbehl received his bachelor's
degree in engineering in 1921, and was the valedictorian of his class. During
his career as a faculty member at Notre Dame, he served as professor, assistant
dean, and acting dean of the College of Engineering. As a teacher, advisor
and administrator, he was an integral part of the College of Engineering's
development.
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