On Tuesday, March 27, 2007, Kenneth Bruno talked to over 80 high school students about electronic forensics at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Cyber Crime Training Lab in Hackensack, NJ. These students learned about cyber crime, and saw how actual investigations are performed. He also demonstrated the use of his electronic eavesdropping detection equipment, and chose students to assist him in these simulated demonstrations.
Students get look at tools for fighting cyber crime
By Brian Aberback, Staff Writer
HACKENSACK -- North Jersey high school students on Tuesday examined the latest cyber crime-fighting technology and learned that they are more vulnerable online than they might think.
More than 100 juniors and seniors from Fair Lawn and Rutherford high schools visited the new Cyber Crime Training Lab at Fairleigh Dickinson University. The lab, a high-tech heaven for criminal justice students and law enforcement professionals, opened in January.
The program featured cyber security experts demonstrating high-tech tools, including a machine used to copy computer hard drives and devices that detect the presence of hidden cameras, microphones and telephone wiretaps.
Kenneth Bruno, an FDU alumnus who owns a cyber security company, showed how the hidden camera pen of the 20th century now includes a USB plug that allows a user to immediately download covert photos to a computer.
"Cyber crime is becoming out of control because it's so accessible," Bruno said.
Investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Computer Crimes Unit showed the students how they reveal more personal information in popular online communities such as MySpace.com than they realize.
Detective Adam Rhein used the example of a Chicago-area student's MySpace page. Though the student did not give his identity, Rhein showed how he found a picture on the site that included a trophy with the boy's name on it. By learning the teen was a member of a football team, Rhein searched the Web and found the team's practice schedule.
"I knew where he was going to be and at what time," said Rhein, a Bergen County sheriff's officer. "It's creepy, but that's how easy it is."
The lesson was a revelation for some students, who said they would be more careful.
"I'll definitely change my Internet habits," said Mina Youseff, 18, a Fair Lawn High senior.
Rutherford senior Kivanc Kizilkaya said the demonstration of cyber spying equipment was both fascinating and unsettling.
"Basically everything you do can be detected," said Kizilkaya.