Fergie's Tech Blog

The Rise of the Digital Thugs

Timothy L. O'Brien writes in The New York Times:

Law enforcement authorities and computer security specialists warn that new breeds of white-collar criminals are on the prowl: corporate stalkers who are either computer-savvy extortionists, looking to shake down companies for large bribes, or malicious competitors who are trying to gain an upper hand in the marketplace.

"It's definitely a growing issue and problem, and it's something we think will definitely increase in both the numbers and severity," said Frank Harrill, an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who specializes in computer crimes and who has investigated corporate stalkers and online extortionists. The reason, he said, is that "the Internet is ceasing to be a means for communication and commerce and is becoming the means for communication and commerce."

posted by Fergie @ 8/07/2005 03:41:00 PM