Unsolved cybercrime attacks highlighted

Sep 30 2008 3:17PM

The online journal of criminology has highlighted the fact that the best cyber criminals are those who are never caught – or even identified.

New Criminologist states that security breaches happen all the time in the computing world but many cyber crimes remain unsolved, including some which put defence systems at risk.

It recalls the hacking of a Ministry of Defense satellite in February 1999 as an example of information warfare – an enemy attack through the disruption of military communications.

According to the journal a group of cyber criminals managed to re-programme the control system before being discovered, but despite Scotland Yard and US Air Force investigations, no arrests have ever been made.

The news provider also highlights the stealing of military source code in December 2000, explaining that a hacker broke into government-contracted Exigent Software Technology and gained access to two-thirds of the code that controls missile guidance systems.

Earlier this month research carried out by Finjan revealed that 91 per cent of the IT and security professionals questioned said they perceive cybercrime as a major risk.