Cybercrime: Prevention, Protection, Punishment Against Cyber Attacks (Conference)

He mentioned how cybercrimes have actually existed as far back as 1970, when they were simply known as "computer crimes."

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He gave the example of teenager Jerry Neal Schneider, who stole nearly $1 million of equipment from Pacific Telephone and Telegraph after stealing personal information via the telephone and 'dumpster diving' (raiding through skips) to retrieve printouts from the company.

In 1978, Stanley Mark Rifkim conducted at the time what was the biggest bank robbery in U.S. history when he stole $10.2 million from the Security Pacific Bank through wire transfer via telephone. There was even a film starring one of the teen stars of the 80s, Matthew Broderick, called 'War Games' which truly emphasize just how long cybercrimes have actually been a problem for.

Sommer said how that "80 per cent of protection is simple hygiene", translated as using readily available anti-virus software will protect you in much the same way washing your hands will protect you from most diseases. This statement was dismissed by Janet Williams, Head of Intelligence and Covert Policing for Met Police, who went on to suggest more needs to be done.

One simple strategy Williams brought up is the idea of a start-up video on computers to which will also guide people step-by-step while they are using a computer to warn them against the threat and dangers of cyber-attacks.

Questions were also raised about the language used when discussing cybercrime; is it too daunting or too broad a subject to make most people understand its impact? And what about the future? Are we putting ourselves at greater risk to more sophisticated attacks by constantly innovating our technology?

The key point Sommer made was that the reason cybercrimes are seen as more of a problem now is simply because more people have access to the internet and therefore more people are at risk. Right now, there are 2.1 billion worldwide who have regular access to the internet, with each one susceptible to an attack or information breach in a different way (later discussed by Dr Richard Home).

Sommer ended his discussion with an idea to help prevent and protect people from cyber-attacks - by slowing down innovation.

The rise of smartphones and touch screen computers now mean people are able to do more online whenever they want. Are we moving so fast with technology that we cannot possibly keep on top of the wave of cybercrimes that are frequently occurring? If we are happy to let people get their hands on the latest technology and download the latest apps to their phones at every opportunity, surely more must be done to give people the basic knowledge of how they can be attacked and prevent them at any opportunity.

Williams described the Police Central e-crime unit as a "very lonely place" when it began three years ago but now has since grown to be a much more co-ordinated organisation. The success of the PCeU can currently be measured at the rate of "1:35", meaning for every one pound they spend, they are able to save £35.