Internet Security

Poor Internet Security Leads to Cyber Crime

It is a growing concern as tens and thousands or even millions of viruses are introduced yearly. If the computer is securely protected, it will be susceptible to viruses, phishing scams and hackers who will do anything to steal one's personal information and personal identity. Thus, hosted security services should be part of a cost-cutting consideration even during an economic downturn. With technological advances and more sophisticated methods employed by these hackers and 'virtual attackers', Singapore government has addressed these issues seriously by dedicated more time and efforts to fight computer crimes. A case in point was a Singaporean hacker who was convicted to 180 years in prison for posting fake July 2005 bomb threats. The following is an article extracted from SC Magazine online:

A Singaporean hacker has been charged with posting a fake July 2005 bomb threat on a technology website and 60 counts of illegally accessing a wireless network.

Lin Zhenghuang, 21, was charged last week with facetiously warning of a bomb at a local bus stop - just after the London subways and bus bombings. Other site users reported Lin's post to authorities, according to an Associated Press report.

Lin, who uses the online pseudonym "krisurf," also faces 60 charges of illegally accessing nine wireless networks between July 2005 and February 2006, according to the AP. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and US$6,500 in fines.

Lin has been charged with violating Singapore's Computer Misuse Act.

Garyl Tan Jia Luo, 17, was also charged with accessing the web via another person's internet connection in November of last year. A neighbor told authorities that Tan had accessed his web connection in May 2006.


(http://www.securecomputing.net.au/News/70959,singapore-man-faces-180-years-in-prison.aspx)