Following Microsoft’s launch of its new Cyber Crime Center, now would be a good time to discuss the need for such a center and why the future of the Internet looks bleak without it and similar labs.
In a nutshell, the center is a multi-disciplinary task force that has been assigned the unenviable task of providing high-level policing against cybercrime or nipping criminal activity in the bud. Security engineers, digital forensics experts, and lawyers are working together to stop alarming trends including cyber fraud, cyber extortion, and cyber bullying.
Let’s take a look at why this Center was established and the main reasons why, if left unchecked, cybercrime could threaten the foundation of the Internet and the widespread communication it has brought us.
1. Temptation. As the years go by, more and more people are on the Internet. It provides a fast and international way of communication. As more people see that they can “hide” behind your device, the greater the temptation to try something criminal. It’s very easy to lie to someone when you can’t see them. This is a recipe for disaster.
2. Trust. The more people who have been duped through Internet crime, the more likely the average person will start to stay away. This is not what those who are developing viable and up-to-date technologies want to see. However, as is often the case, the few (but increasingly) ruin it for the many.
3. Hack mania. The culture of “hacking” has become a competitive nightmare. The so-called “smart” culture has become a race to be the smartest. This doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Hacking, in many cases, is nothing more than a low-level curiosity.
4. Laws that cannot be updated. The Internet started about 30 years ago. It was the wild west. It’s still the wild west. Technology moved beyond existing laws. Basically, there were no laws for anything like the Internet. Legislators have tried to address this, but when you fall behind, it’s very difficult to catch up in this type of game.
5. No deterrence. For example, it might seem like fun to a 12-year-old to waste time hacking into bank information or stealing money from credit cards. He rides his bike home from school. Get’s on his laptop at home and does his thing. So he steals money from a 6-year-old retired grandmother, who lives thousands of miles away, secretly thinking, “Wow, so easy and who’s going to catch me?” reality of her transgression because she lives in a virtual world. Until something is done to force a return to a world of reality, it is clear that this type of offense may become the norm rather than the exception. These people have not only taken away the livelihood of others, they have made a complete mess of one of the greatest discoveries on this planet.
The Internet is a beautiful tool, when used correctly. Hopefully the Cyber Crime unit can help curb unwanted activity, and we’ll all have a safe Internet experience for a long time to come.