Cyber Crime 2.0 OLJ task

Article One

James, M. L. Cyber crime 2.0 versus the Twittering classes. Parliament of Australia, Department of Parliamentary Services, Parliamentary Library Information, analysis and advice for the Parliament. Science, Technology, Environment and Resources Section, 24 February 2010 (2009-10). Retrieved from http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/pubs/bn/sci/Cybercrime.pdf


The report outlines some of the present threats that all users of the Internet face from cyber crime and the current attempts by government to develop effective organizational and policy responses to the problems that cyber crime poses to national security, the digital economy and the broader public. Social networking applications are identified as being at particular risk of attacks from malicious sources due to their popularity, dependence on openness and trust and modifiable software through widget applications etc. The paper specifically mentioned instant messaging applications as being specifically vulnerable while the networked nature of social networking sites ensured rapid infiltration of malicious software. From the perspective of privacy and personal data the opportunities for criminals are significant given the large amount of personal information that users regularly volunteer into social networking sites.

The limitations of the exiting self regulatory environment are discussed. Both Government and ISPs have been playing catch up with developments in cyber crime and always will do to some degree. However given the nature of the threat governments are being forced to act in a more systematic manner. The paper discusses recent government attempts to develop a relatively centralized and coordinated approach to tackling the problem. Importantly programs for educating and informing the public are seen as a significant pillar in improving cyber security. In many respects the broader public represents the weakest link in the nations security chain as it is the least protected from cyber crime. The paper mentions the disturbing fact that 50% of Australian do not have up to date anti virus software. The paper argues that cyber threats need to be treated in much the same way as public health threats.