IT security news just keeps getting better

While we may not have much to boast about when it comes to our economic situation, at least we can appreciate the latest trend in cyber security. Just last week I wrote about the inroads the U.S. has been making in stopping and apprehending spammers – a huge U.S. based spamming operation (the world’s largest) in particular. Now, after I read "Hackers, phishers can't get away with it like they used to" by Jon Swartz this morning at usatoday.com, I’m happy to see the trend seems to extend over other Internet crimes, as well.

Not only have the Secret Service and FBI investigators been able to indict spammers, but they also nabbed 11 of the people allegedly responsible for the notorious computer break-ins that affected TJX and other retailers. My guess is that they really started to make headway after they got some much-needed peripheral assistance. Not only did other countries step up to the plate in their countries (Romania’s prosecutors are especially effective), but also laws within the U.S. have become tougher and easier to enforce. Says Swartz, "One law in particular has given prosecutors a crime-fighting tool. The Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2008 makes it a felony to damage 10 or more PCs used by or for the federal government or a financial institution." Add to that, better resources right here such as better training for Secret Service agents, prosecutors and judges and organized crime groups finding it harder and harder to avoid infiltration, apprehension and arrest. Chalk one (make that, several) up for the good guys. Keep up the good work.