EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
An underlying factor enabling the uptick in potentially illegal online activities is a lack of awareness or understanding of the Computer Misuse Act ( CMA ). It isn ’ t taught anywhere , despite considerable lobbying to have it included on the National Computer Science curriculum , yet almost 90 % of UK households have some kind of computer or device . It ’ s no wonder , then , that the lines of criminality are blurred in most people ’ s minds and this is clearly a contributory factor in the reported rise in engagement in illicit or criminal activity as many perpetrators may not even realise that they are breaking the law .
Couple this with the research findings that ‘ almost a quarter ’ of 25 – 35-year-old respondents were ‘ willing to consider illegal or illicit online activity ’ in an attempt to alleviate their current financial woes as they represent a generation who ’ s first response to any challenge , question or problem is the Internet . They are better equipped to find and engage with less traditional online money-making opportunities , but an unregulated Internet means unregulated content and even the CMA can ’ t deal with that .
‘ Almost a quarter ’ of 25 – 35-yearold respondents were ‘ willing to consider illegal or illicit online activity ’ in an attempt to alleviate their current financial woes .
Uncertainty and Doubt ( FUD ) are the foundations of any successful phishing campaign so preying on the FUD surrounding the inability to pay the bills or feed the family is a no-brainer , especially since pretty much everyone in the UK is in the same boat somehow . It ’ s not like attacking a bank or retail platform and going after a finite customer base , the attack surface here is the whole country and that certainly ups the numbers considerably . As the interest rates continue to rise and the bills and prices follow suit , more and more people will run out of savings or goodwill and FUD will lead them to look for other ways to stay afloat . Once the help and support dry up , the Internet is the only place left to turn .
Also , any large-scale , global or social crisis ; war , earthquake , economic collapse will always result in a major mobilisation of cybercriminality . The gangs and organisations responsible have a keen eye for any opportunity and little care for those affected . Fear ,
There ’ s an old law enforcement quote that says : ‘ You can ’ t arrest your way out of cybercrime ’ and that ’ s particularly pertinent here . The only way to turn this tide is through education but it will need to be a much stronger tide before anyone is willing to pay for that . p
BRIAN HIGGINS , SECURITY SPECIALIST AT COMPARITECH
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