Microsoft can only do so much to fight cyber threats

Source: Robert Mullins, Networkworld.

“Online fraud is not a high priority in Russia even when specific hackers there have been identified by outside groups, the Times reported, because most of the time, fraud victims aren’t in Russia, but are in Europe or the United States. A nonprofit group aimed at fighting spam and other online fraud, the Spamhous Project, told the newspaper that seven out of 10 spammers in the world operate out of Estonia, Russia and Ukraine, all once part of the Soviet Union.

The article makes the point that fighting cybercrime requires global law enforcement cooperation. But the article adds that while the U.S. sees fighting cybercrime as a law enforcement issue, the Russians have pushed for an international treaty focused on restricting use of “online weapons” by military or espionage agencies. The U.S. has entered treaty talks with Russia, but there seems to be a fundamental disagreement on what is the right approach.”