Federal authorities targeting cybercrime

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Secret Service and FBI agents have been targeting acts of cybercrime in the United States this year, leading to a series of indictments, officials say.

Shawn Henry, FBI Cyber Division assistant director, said anti-cybercrime efforts nationwide have increased since January and have resulted in the end of a stolen credit card ring and a spam scheme that had reached worldwide proportions, USA Today said Monday.

The number of high-profile arrests in cybercrime law enforcement has dramatically increased in 2008 compared to previous years, Henry added.

MySpace Chief Security Officer Hemanshu Nigam said increased international cooperation in relation to cybercrimes has been an integral part of the enhanced law enforcement efforts. Better-trained agents and stricter laws have also proven invaluable, Nigam added.

Henry told USA Today such law enforcement methods should allow federal authorities to maintain the positive surge against cybercrime in the future.

"The threat is not going away. But our ability to impact the threat has become much better," he said.