Source: TechNewsWorld
By Jack M. Germain

Date: September 28, 2003

Computer security specialist Erik Laykin, president of Online Security Inc., sees the criminal underworld of Eastern Europe and Russia as a prime source for the worm onslaught. "There you will find a large stable of very bright hackers, scientists and criminal underground," Laykin told TechNewsWorld.

Internet security experts are divided on the source and purpose of computer viruses and worms like Blaster and SoBig. But some government agencies are investigating a possible connection between the increasing spread of infected computers and organized crime. Recent trends are leading many experts to worry that malicious code buried in infected computers or released in new generations of worms will spawn targeted criminal attacks against business and industry.

"That is definitely a legitimate concern," said Michael Shema, a widely recognized expert on Internet security and author of two books on the hacker mentality. Shema said there is considerable evidence to support what otherwise would be romantic conspiracy theories about the connection of viruses to the world of organized crime. "It's still anybody's guess who might be behind it, but the next move [by the virus writers] will no doubt tip their hands," Shema told TechNewsWorld...continued

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