WASHINGTON -- After getting blindsided by the "I Love You" computer virus earlier this year, the Philippines quickly outlawed most computer-related crimes. But it was the only nation to do so, according to a 52-country survey.
A lack of applicable laws in the Philippines forced prosecutors to dismiss all charges against the man accused of releasing the Love Bug virus that caused billions of dollars in damages worldwide. Six weeks later, the laws were updated.
But criminal laws in most countries have not been extended into cyberspace. Just nine of the 52 countries have amended their laws to cover computer-related crimes, according to the report, "Cyber Crime ... and Punishment?" The study, released Wednesday, was conducted by McConnell International, a technology management consulting firm.
"The long arm of the law does not yet reach across the global Internet," said Bruce W. McConnell, president of McConnell International. "Organizations must rely on their own defenses for now."
The study looked at the full range of cybercrime, including hacking, virus distribution, forgery, theft and blocking access.
Thirty-three of the 52 countries have not yet updated their laws to address any type of cybercrime, the study said, but 17 of those are in the process.
Ten countries have enacted legislation to address five or fewer types of cybercrime, and nine have updated their laws to prosecute six or more.
The survey found the United States with laws in place against all crimes but forgery over the computer. Japan also had laws covering all cybercrimes but virus dissemination.
Existing laws against such crimes as trespassing or breaking and entering often do not cover "virtual" circumstances, the report said.
Also, many countries have weak penalties in their updated criminal statutes, too insignificant to deter cybercrimes, it said.
Reports of security breaches in the first three quarters of 2000 have increased by 54 percent over all of 1999.
An international cybercrime treaty is being drafted by the Council of Europe and would cover the destruction of data or hardware, distribution of child pornography, theft of copyright and intellectual property and other Internet crimes.
It also would allow law enforcers to investigate any crime that might have evidence stored on a computer. Critics contend the proposal could give governments too much power, and approval is far from certain.
