The dire analysis from Australian computer security experts came as UK police arrested a teenager believed responsible for a string of recent hacking attacks. Source: Getty Images THE world is in the grip of a "techno arms race" between computer hackers and authorities.
The dire analysis from Australian computer security experts came as UK police arrested a teenager believed responsible for a string of recent hacking attacks, including the highly publicised strike on Sony's online games network.
Ryan Cleary, 19, is believed to have masterminded a global computer hacking plot from his suburban bedroom.
The alleged cyber saboteur was nabbed yesterday in a combined operation by the FBI and Scotland Yard.
The teen is believed to be a "major player" with computer hacking group Lulz Security, wanted for attacks on targets ranging from the CIA and US Senate to Nintendo and Sony.
The attacks on Sony, which began in April, forced it to shut down its online games network.
It later revealed hackers had stolen the personal details of millions of members.
A tug of war has developed between British and US prosecutors, who both want a piece of the university student described by neighbours as "very bright".
Robert McAdam, chief of security firm Pure Hacking, said the arrest was a significant victory for authorities in the escalating battle against increasingly sophisticated hackers intent on causing global mayhem.
"When you are the focus of investigators, you will get done," he said.
Limited resources meant computer security experts could not be everywhere at once and hackers were not only getter better, but bolder as a result.
"This really is a techno arms race," he said. "Except this time instead of graduating from throwing rocks to bullets and bombs, technology is the weapon and it's growing exponentially."
Mr McAdam, a former NSW policeman, said there was only one motive to explain the activities of hackers once money was taken out of the equation.
"Significance," he said.
"What you have is someone who desperately wants to demonstrate a level of importance to their peers. It's as simple as that."
