UK e-minister Douglas Alexander has called for UK businesses to take security more seriously following an increase in politically fuelled hacking activity.

In the light of recent attacks on US world trade portals and pro-taliban websites it is believed that hackers have already destroyed data and internet connections within Afghanistan and that further attacks are expected.

The United States Justice Department has urged US Congress to introduce legislation which would make computer crime a terrorist act. Should the legislation be approved hackers could face life imprisonment with no chance of parole.

The US Anti-Terrorism Act which is currently before Congress would give the government extended powers for conducting electronic surveillance and accessing records, with extra emphasis on the ability to detail terrorists suspected of using technology in potential attacks.

Conrad Simpson, Managing Director of Belfast IT and Data Security Consultancy, Celare, said: “The US proposals would allow for a much higher level of monitoring of electronic communications and much greater punishment of hackers than is currently permitted. Endorsement of these proposals could see convicted hackers treated in a similar way to murderers, rapists and kidnappers.”

Celare has established a partnership with Dublin-based e-mail services company, EuroKom, in hosting a seminar entitled ‘Inside the Mind of the Hacker’, at which reformed hacker Mathew Bevan, aka Kuji, will speak about the dangers posed by cybercrime.

Bevan claims to still be monitored by the FBI following allegations of hacking into a US Air Force computer system and unwittingly almost starting a war between the US and Korea in 1994.

Kuji will visit Ireland on October 17, 2001 for the ‘Inside the Mind of the Hacker’ seminar which is to be held in Dublin’s Citywest Hotel. (CD)