“Online hoodies” are stalking the web, according to a rather sensationalist headline on the front page of the Metro last week.  Apparently children as young as 12 are “phishing for identities” and then “stealing cash from Pay Pal accounts”.  Whilst 12 year-olds may be doing this kind of thing, I think it’s difficult to compare the kind of kids that carry out online fraud to the stereotype of “hoodies” hanging out on street corners, terrorising old ladies.

The important point that this article makes is that the government is going to spend £7m creating a police unit to combat online crime. The more the internet is used, and the more sensitive information that can be found on it, the greater the rise in internet fraud and data abuse. The problem will be exacerbated as criminals and potential criminals become more knowledgeable about technology and the internet.

But maybe the solution isn’t just down to the government.  In the comments section of Friday’s Guardian, the point is made that we could all do with learning about the potential dangers on the internet, and what other people have the potential to do to your online data.  We have to learn new ways of looking after ourself when using the internet.  The longer that we remain complacent about online security, the easier it will be for hackers to use and abuse our data.

Luke Davies