Takedown: The Hunt for the World's Most Wanted Cyber Criminal

The non-fiction cybercrime film that one will analyze is Takedown. Joe Capellelle directed the film. The movie is based on a true story surrounding the hacking and arrest of Kevin Mitnick. Takedown film is about the pursuit and capture of America's most wanted computer outlaw Kelvin Mitnick. The hacker was convicted for computer hacking in 1989. However, he vanished from prison two years later. While he was on the run, Mitnick broke into countless computers, copied personal information, intercepted private electronic communication and confidential materials. The film's narration is based on the facts presented by Tsutomu Shimomura and Markoff. The two had earlier presented the information to the FBI on how to locate Mitnick. The film was produced in 2000 while Mitnick was in prison awaiting trial. It focuses on how cybercrime is done. It provides an actual analysis of breaking, conversations, and voice messages that the hacker used. For instance, the film covers how Mitnick was breaking into computers, altering information, eavesdropping on users, and corrupting the system. It also centers on how hackers sometimes impede or prevent legitimate users from accessing their systems. I view that the film revolves around the battle for values. In the public domain, hacking is viewed as something evil. However, through the film, one realizes that cybercrime can either be good or evil. Shimomura is a hacker who uses his intelligence to uncover criminal activities caused by evil hackers such as Mitnick. Shimomura tells the FBI that he is a hacker and helps to understand the different types of hackers. In the introductory part of the film, statements, and images presented characterizes a hacker as someone evil and dangerous. However, from Shimomura's activities, one can elucidate that some hacking activities are harmless. In contemporary society, the government and private entities employ computer specialists to safeguard their cyberspace. I also find that technology is a tool used for malicious hacking processes. The foundation of Mitnick's cybercrime was associated with social-engineering and his phreaking abilities. Takedown film presents information that indicates crime activities in the information age are done using advanced technology. Mitnick used social engineering attacks to manipulate people. In the film, Mitnick sends Shimomura into a tizzy using fantasy, a trick he used to gain access to a computer program that he had created. The film portrays that the vulnerability to crime in the information age is caused by people who are supposed to prevent it. Shimomura was an expert who had been given a role by the government to safeguard its space. However, from the conversation with his girlfriend, one realizes that he created a terrifying computer program that could wreak havoc worldwide. Such shows that crime in the information age is contributed majorly by specialists' careless nature in computer technology. The film provides the foundation of understanding how cybercrime activities are done. Mitnick is an evil hacker who uses the social-engineering technique to manipulate people before obtaining their information. On the contrary, Shimomura is an intelligent cyberspace specialist who uses his expertise to acquire information about seizing hackers who engage in the wrongful acquisition of other people's information. The two types of hackers' roles led to a better understanding of cybercrime. Initially, hacking was viewed as evil and dangerous. However, from Shimomura's role, one can realize that hacking is not that harmful. The film allows one to learn that criminal activities are done mainly through the use of technology in the information age. 

Reference 

Capelle, J. (2000). Official Trailer:Takedown. www.youtube.com