Defending cyberspace

Cyber attacks have caused billions of dollars of damage

By David Willis in Silicon Valley

Some of the world's leading internet security experts are gathering in California to develop a battle plan to combat future computer virus attacks.

The internet defence summit, although planned some time ago, comes just days after the so-called Love Bug virus wreaked havoc on the web.

More than 100 technology experts and software engineers - the people who helped develop the internet - will talk tactics.

The Love Bug virus has underlined the fact that, when it comes to cyberspace, governments are unable to fulfil their traditional role as defenders of the people.

Early warning

Therefore, say the summit's organisers, it is up to the private sector to develop a strategy to combat hacking and computer viruses.

They say the main aim of the San Jose meeting is to devise a blueprint for some sort of global early warning system against internet attack.

New methods of predicting cyber attacks will be demonstrated.

So too will evidence of a planned cyber crime against two major organisations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation.

The Love Bug virus has been followed by a string of similar ones which, according to experts in Silicon Valley, have caused billions of dollars of damage.