REDMOND, Wash., July 21, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. announced today that it has assigned a full-time analyst and provided more than $46,000 in software to the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA), a cyberforensics organization established by the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and West Virginia University (WVU) to bring together academia, industry, government and law enforcement to test and investigate cybercrime tactics, help fight online threats, and prepare businesses and organizations to guard against such threats.
The Microsoft-assigned analyst will focus on analyzing real-time data related to phishing scams and provide assistance in data analysis for CAN SPAM cases as well as work with the NCFTA to facilitate the timely sharing of pertinent industry case data with law enforcement. In addition, the analyst will assist in preparing and presenting training to law enforcement and industry on cybercrime investigative techniques as well as identifying new computer crime trends.
“The tactics of spammers, hackers and other online con artists are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and as a company, Microsoft is dedicating resources to help law enforcement find those responsible for harming consumers,” said Nancy Anderson, deputy general counsel for Microsoft. “These collaborative partnerships among law enforcement, government, industry and academia are one important mechanism to contain this illegal and destructive activity and restore consumer confidence in the Internet.”
Phishing scams are an example of an emerging online threat that requires industry and law enforcement coordination. Phishing scams are usually perpetrated through spam e-mail messages that direct consumers to phony Web sites that are often exact replicas of legitimate Web sites and that ask for passwords and sensitive personal or financial information.
“Phishing and other cybercrimes are a rapidly growing threat to computer users everywhere,” said Dan Larkin, unit chief at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). “The additional resources provided by Microsoft will go a long way in assisting the NCFTA with its mission of creating a truly collaborative environment in the technology world, where an actual network of experts can be assembled to study real cybercrime incidents. Intelligence gained through such partnerships can be used to help experts in the field, including industry, to both investigate cases and quickly identify criminals, leading to a positive Internet experience for consumers.”
Microsoft’s Internet Safety Initiative
Over the past several years, Microsoft has dedicated substantial resources to help increase the safety and security of the Internet for consumers and businesses around the world. The company has prioritized resources and focused efforts on four key areas: security, spam, privacy and children’s online safety. By focusing on technology, industry partnership, legislation, enforcement and customer education, Microsoft is confident that as an industry and community, the security, privacy and overall safety of the Internet can be enhanced. More information on Microsofts anti-phishing efforts can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/phishing/ .
About NCFTA
The National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance was established to unite the technology industry, law enforcement, academia and private- and public-sector organizations to bring into focus the most significant online threats and identify the most effective and efficient early options for detecting and combating cybercrimes. A focal point of this project is the primary partnership established between the FBI, the NW3C, Carnegie Mellon University and West Virginia University.
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