News Roundup: UK cracks down on Internet crime

There is no doubt about it: Internet crime is on the rise. Last week the UK government launched its High-Tech Crime Unit to concentrate on issues that affect everybody from banks and financial institutions, to online stores, to individuals who use their credit cards for online purchases. But amidst the fanfare, questions linger: over the size of the Unit's funding and just what its role will be. Compared to the $1bn (£700m) set aside by the US for similar operations, the £25m allocated to the UK's online crime fighting unit seems pitiful. Ten million pounds will be used to develop local police force computer crime units, while the remainder will be used to set up the national unit based at a secret location in London. While some critics have questioned whether this money is enough, others have questioned the government's refusal to break down crime figures -- a move that would help quantify the extent of the online crime problem. NEWS:
High-Tech Crime Unit snubs Infosec
Wed, 25 April Cybercops are too busy training to attend the UK's biggest computer security conference Home Office says 'no' to cybercrime figures
Fri, 20 April The Home Office will not be recording cybercrime figures, despite investing £25m in a National High-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) Police want power to store all emails
Wed, 18 April Law enforcers want the power to store every email passing through the UK, even though the plan will contravene human rights legislation and be physically impossible High tech crime chief calls for new Internet laws
Wed, 18 April UK laws could prevent cybersquad from proactively policing the Net, says the head of the National Crime Squad High-tech police tackle Internet crime
Wed, 18 April The government's High-Tech Crime Unit launches, but questions remain over just what its role will be EC launches European cybercrime forum
Wed, 11 April EC cybercrime forum will include public interest groups, following a recommendation contained in the EC draft convention on cybercrime One in three UK companies have been hacked
Tue, 3 April Hacking poses major threat to the future of UK companies, according to IT professionals Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet News forum. Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read what others have said.