The World Economic Forum 2009 has just finished in Davos, Switzerland. But the questions and problems discussed during the occasion about the threat of cybercrime for the Internet and businesses remain. Addressing the topic were Mozila chairwoman Mitchell Baker, MaCafee chief executive Dave Dewaet and Internet expert Jonathan Zittrain, among many others, including Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s chief researcher officer.
On line theft cost $1 trillion per year. And too many people still don’t know how to protect themselves. Experts pointed that as part of society’s central nervous system, attacks on the Internet could threaten whole economies. According to them, 2008 saw more cybercrime than ever, malicious software and more vulnerability than never before! More than what have been seen in the past 5 years combined!
The meeting brought to light 3 major concerns on the virtual space:
- Threat 1 – crime
- Threat 2 – system
- Threat 3 – cyberwarfare
War
New concepts like cyberwarfare emerged in Davos just few days ago. For the experts present, 2008 is the year when cyberwarfare began, with examples of nations making use of web-enabled-devices to bring down important services during diplomatic conflicts. “Which methods could terrorists use to attack or undermine the whole Internet?” The question came up during the discussions. Read more here.
Some participants proposed the creation of a World Heath Organisation for the Internet, considering that virtual viruses can harm systems and economies the same way a real viruses cause diseases to people. But the Internet strength’s was its open nature. Would a centralization lead one of the most democratic creation of the humankind to limit its innovation, evolution and growth? It is up to us, the users to address and discuss the topic.
Ideas to consider about spam and cybercrime threatening the Internet:
“This is not vandalism anymore, but organised criminality.”
“It’s not about technology, but economy.”
References: BBCWorld
World Economic Forum
