I need to write an essay outline on "phishing."
(Phishing is a form of identity theft where a scammer sends someone an email that appears to be from a legitamite organization and then tricks him/her into providing personal information like PIN numbers, passwords and credit cards.)
I need help with writing a thesis. I think I'm supposed to take a stand on phishing, and make sure that it's something people can argue about but I don't think many people will argue that phishing is good...so...I don't get it.
I also need to examine social/political/economical issues and within each of these I need to examine legality/morality/ethics. I'm okay with the s/p/e but I need help examining legality/morality/ethics. I don't understand them...
Thanks for your help,
Lucy
Argue something about phishing:
Argue that is just plain fraud, and should be treated as such.
Argue that it is a special crime, a personal attack on an indiviual.
Argue that it is insidious, and should be considered as such.
Argue anything, the point of the assignment is to get you to think and write.
Writing a thesis on phishing can be challenging, especially when it seems there might not be much room for disagreement. However, you can still approach the topic from different angles to create an arguable thesis statement. Here are a few possible thesis statements you can consider:
1. Thesis: Phishing should be treated as plain fraud, encompassing legal consequences, to effectively combat this growing form of identity theft.
Explanation: In this thesis, you would argue that phishing is a form of fraud and should be treated with the same severity as other fraudulent acts. You can support your argument by discussing the financial losses and emotional distress caused by phishing attacks and highlight the need for strong legal measures to deter scammers.
2. Thesis: Phishing is a unique crime that poses a personal attack on individuals, necessitating a focused approach for prevention and prosecution.
Explanation: With this thesis, you would emphasize the personal nature of phishing attacks and argue that they require specific attention from law enforcement and cybersecurity organizations. You can explore the psychological impact of phishing scams on victims, as well as the increasing sophistication of phishing techniques, making it a distinct type of crime.
3. Thesis: Phishing is an insidious threat that undermines trust in online communication, demanding a comprehensive response from individuals, organizations, and policymakers.
Explanation: This thesis focuses on the insidious nature of phishing and the broader implications it has on society. You can discuss how phishing attacks erode trust in online communication and affect various stakeholders, from individuals to businesses and governments. Analyzing this aspect can lead to arguments about the necessity for education, awareness campaigns, stricter regulations, and collaboration between different entities to combat phishing effectively.
When examining the social, political, and economic issues related to phishing, you can explore different aspects within each category. For example, legality refers to whether phishing activities are considered illegal under current laws, morality refers to the ethical implications of engaging in phishing, and ethics can focus on the responsibility of organizations to protect their customers' personal information.
To examine these elements, you can delve into topics such as the legal consequences for phishing perpetrators, the ethical duty of organizations to implement robust cybersecurity measures, or the moral responsibility individuals have to stay informed and protect themselves online. By analyzing these issues, you can provide a well-rounded perspective on the broader impact and implications of phishing beyond the individual level.
Remember, the purpose of this assignment is to foster critical thinking and writing skills, so feel free to explore different perspectives and arguments that align with your analysis.