By: LISA R. WILSON

International computer spying and theft of personal information is on the rise, costing tens of millions of dollars and threatening U.S. security, the FBI’s cyber division reports.

FBI Assistant Director Shawn Henry claims that as many as two dozen countries have taken an “aggressive interest” in penetrating the networks of U.S. companies and government agencies. U.S. intelligence agencies have voiced recent concern over China and Russia’s abilities to electronically spy on the United States and disrupt homeland computer networks.

“U.S. federal agents are stepping up efforts to fight computer crime, and working with foreign counterparts where the rising wave of computer attacks has awakened international interest,” Henry said. “Over the past year the malicious activity has become much more prevalent, and the threat continues to increase.”

Henry confirms computer crime has invaded Wall Street, but that it has nothing to do with the current financial system crises. Individual investment companies, however, have lost millions of dollars through “pump and dump” schemes, in which criminals infiltrate multiple client accounts, run up the price of low-liquidity stocks and then dump them from their own accounts. Sneaky, sneaky.

Internet Crime Complaint Center, which the FBI helps run, has recorded more than 1 million complaints since its founding in 2000 and numbers are now running about 18,000 to 20,000 per month, Henry said.

Internet crime is defined as any illegal activity involving one or more components of the Internet such as websites, chat rooms and/or email. Internet crime involves the use of the Internet to communicate false or fraudulent representations to consumers. These crimes may include, but are not limited to, advance-fee schemes, non-delivery of goods or services, computer hacking, phishing, pharming, programming worms, viruses or employment/business opportunity schemes.

Internet crime is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. If you feel you have been victimized by Internet crime, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area today, who can help to protect your legal rights and discuss the litigation options available to you.