Feds step up cybercrime battle in Fresno

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1827902p-1905974c.html

By Jerry Bier
The Fresno Bee
(Published Monday, March, 11, 2002 4:35AM)
 
Computer crimes, which have become a common occurrence in today's
increasingly technological world, are getting special attention from
the federal government.

The crimes, which range from viruses to piracy, have cropped up in
prosecutions across the United States and are becoming more prevalent
as computers become more a part of everyday lives.

As a result of the changing times, U.S. Attorney John K. Vincent said
he has formed a computer-crimes section to concentrate on what he
calls high-technology and intellectual-property offenses.

"We have been focusing on cybercrime for some time now," Vincent said.  
"It is an area of growing concern, however, and we intend to attack it
even more aggressively."

In Fresno, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan B. Conklin will head the
effort, joining Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Sonderby in the
Eastern District's Sacramento division.

"These prosecutors, because of their training and experience, bring a
high degree of expertise and professionalism to the computers-crimes
section, and they are dedicated to vigorously prosecuting those
responsible for cybercrime in the district," Vincent said.

Conklin's prosecutions have included Internet fraud and computer
intrusion cases, including several in which individuals hacked into
computer systems of businesses and intentionally destroyed files. He
also prosecuted a copyright case involving misuse of Microsoft
software products.

"We hope it will be an effective presence in the Valley," Conklin said
of the new section.

The section will handle crimes such as computer intrusions, virus and
worm proliferation, Internet fraud and telecommunications fraud,
Vincent said. It also will prosecute the so-called
intellectual-property offenses such as copyright and trademark
infringement, software piracy, theft of trade secrets and economic
espionage.

A virus is a program or piece of code that is loaded onto a computer
without the owner's knowledge and runs against his or her wishes. A
worm is a program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer
network and usually performs malicious actions.

The prosecution team also will work with the high-tech community to
encourage victims to report crimes to law enforcement, Vincent said,
noting that California's Eastern District, which stretches from the
Oregon border through Kern County, is home to numerous high-tech
companies, universities and military bases and has become a popular
target for cybercriminals.

Prosecutors also will be responsible for providing training programs
to increase expertise among federal, state and local law enforcement,
Vincent said.

The reporter can be reached at jbier () fresnobee com or (559) 441-6484
 


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