`Love Bug’ Outbreak Shows Need To Take Computer Crime Fight To The Next Level

May 05, 2000

[(MAY 5, 2000) -- Following are the comments of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Leahy is the author of the Internet Security Act (S.2430), introduced last month. He chaired hearings on computer viruses in 1989 and authored legislation – enacted in 1994 as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act -- that prohibits the transmission of damaging computer viruses,18 U.S.C. section 1030(a)(5). Leahy’s new bill would add a wide range of new enforcement tools to local, state and federal agencies on the front lines in thwarting and prosecuting computer crime. A summary and the text of the Internet Security Act are available online on the Leahy Home Page, at:[ http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200005/000505a.html]

“The effects of the I-LOVE-YOU virus have been felt almost instantly around the world, proving just how connected we are in the digital age. Whether the motivation for the launch of this virus was a global practical joke or something much worse, the effects have been serious and expensive, slowing down businesses and government offices here and abroad.

“While this is not a new problem, the speed with which computer viruses spread and the level of damage they can cause has risen many times over since the hearings I convened on computer viruses more than a decade ago.

“We need to take the fight against computer crime to the next level. Federal law enforcement agencies need new tools, and we need to make state and local law enforcement agencies more a part of this team effort. We also need to authorize investigative techniques to uncover the culprits behind these crimes, even when the culprits are overseas. Congress should make this a priority for the little time left in this session.”