Which of these are illegal activities? Check all that apply.

running a pyramid scheme

offering free gifts

threatening to harm property

downloading a virus

hacking a computer

The correct answer is:

- Running a pyramid scheme: As in Ponzi schemes, the money collected from newer victims of pyramid schemes is paid to earlier victims to make the earlier victims believe the proceeds come from the sucess of the fraudulent business venture. In pyramid schemes, however, the victims are manipulated into getting more victims by getting paid recruitment commissions each time they get a new "investor".

- Threatening to harm property: Illegal threats include threats to do bodily harm, to destroy property, or to do anything that intentionally will hurt the threatened party or someone else with actions that will inevitably damage the person's physical or psycho-emotional integrity. Either immediately or in the future.

- Hacking a computer: Illegal according to the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

- Downloading a virus is NOT illegal per se but there is a provision about Damaging a protected computer (including viruses, worms) in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.