2009-01-01
Abstract
Volunteer-run security operation closes its doors.
Copyright © 2009 Virus Bulletin
The argument over whether law enforcement agencies should use spyware to keep an eye on suspected criminals – which has been rumbling around for many years (see VB, April 2007, p.2) – has gathered new pace as reports in the UK press suggest that British police have been given the power to hack into computers without a court warrant.
While there are obvious advantages to using spyware and keylogging devices to observe criminal activity and gather evidence, the idea of doing so without case-by-case review and approval from a court raises serious questions over civil liberties.
There are also concerns over the security of such practices – for example the risk of such programs spreading in the wild or being hacked – and it is very unlikely that the AV industry would ever agree to the non-detection of such programs. Writing in his blog this week, Sophos spokesman Graham Cluley said ‘we will continue to defend computer users against malware and spyware, regardless of who might have written or installed the code. And if that puts us at loggerheads with our friends in the police, so be it.’
