Each year scams cost three million UK consumers 3.5 billion GBP, with scam emails plaguing 73% of adults every year. The UK Government today announced the formation of a new specialist cyber enforcement team, as well as extra funding for Trading Standards.

Britain is set to become one of the first countries to introduce full body scanning technology, able to produce a naked image. Now, concern has arisen that the technology may violate laws prohibiting the creation and possession of indecent images of children. Where such images fell into the wrong hands, the assistance of Computer Forensic Experts would be vital.

The Government has announced the creation of a dedicated Office of Cyber Security to protect the UK and British citizens from the growing threats posed in cyberspace. The new measures announced by the Prime Minister are designed to help the Government reshape the way Britain responds to these cyber challenges that threaten UK security interests.

Computer forensics involves the analysis of computers and other electronic devices in order to produce legal evidence. Such investigations are typically long and complex, so as the average forensic caseload grows, so too does the need for an effective method to manage the dissemination of information between the many authorised personnel involved in an investigation.

Every time a computer user views a web page, uses instant chat or sends an email, details about their physical location are revealed to the host or recipient's server via their Internet Protocol (IP) address. In instances of crimes involving computers, this can be a vital clue in tracking down the perpetrators.

Electronic devices are being admitted as evidence in an increasingly large proportion of legal cases. As technology progresses apace, and analysis becomes more complex, the question arises: How 'computer literate' do a judge and jury need to be in order to ensure a safe verdict?

Electronic devices are being admitted as evidence in an increasingly large proportion of legal cases. As technology progresses apace, and analysis becomes more complex, the question arises: How 'computer literate' do a judge and jury need to be in order to ensure a safe verdict?

For a person to call themselves a GP of medicine, they must adhere to the qualification and practice standards of the General Medical Council. But for computer forensics experts, no such regulation exists. If sub-standard 'experts' are involved in criminal investigations, this could result in contamination of evidence and poor testimony which could lead to a miscarriage of justice.

From intellectual property theft to the downloading of indecent images, investigations of computer crimes require the assistance of computer forensics specialists. Unfortunately, just as computer forensics experts are able to create tools to collect and analyse data, criminals are setting about creating 'anti-forensics' tools to frustrate criminal investigations.

While most parents are aware of the potential dangers of allowing children to use chat rooms and social networking sites without supervision, many may be unaware of the danger posed by games consoles that connect to the web.

Small businesses lose an average of 800 GBP a year to online crimes, according to a survey by the Federation of Small Business. According to the report, such crimes typically cost small businesses 500 GBP to 5,000 GBP, yet the FSB revealed that around one third of small firms do not report online crime to the police or their banks because of "a lack of faith in the system".

A new report released by brand protection firm MarkMonitor has revealed that online abuse of leading brands is growing more common, damaging brand reputations and upping the risk of unwitting users becoming the victims of malware and phishing attacks.