China and Russia provide ‘political cover’ for cyber-criminals – report
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Cyber-security report accuses nations of protecting online criminals. Plus: hackers are exploiting recession fears
The governments of countries including China and Russia are providing ‘political cover’ for cyber-criminals operating in their jurisdiction, helping them to evade international prosecution according a new report commissioned by security software provider McAfee.
“Some governments are guilty of protecting their in-country offenders,” the Virtual Criminology Report says.
McAfee’s CEO, Dave DeWalt, called on world governments to take greater measures against online crime. "Governments need to commit to funding the resources needed to combat cyber-crime,” he said. “Bureaucratic bodies need to be rationalised and harmonised and police forces need to be co-ordinated across boundaries.”
That was perhaps a direct appeal to US president-elect Barack Obama. This week, a
Meanwhile, the Virtual Criminology Report also found that hackers are increasingly exploiting fears about the economy to spread malware and steal information. Phishing emails supposedly from failing banks and false job offers are among the opportunistic security threats to have arisen in recent months.
"Cyber-criminals are preying on fear and uncertainty and taking advantage of the fact that consumers are often more easily duped and distracted during times of difficulties,” the report said.
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