Internet forensics

We have been warned how to be cautious with online banking and how to deal with adriot manipulative phishing attempts to surrender information. The article in Stuff makes online banking sound as safe as a leaking submarine. It makes purchasing from websites apart from "name brands" sound more risky than handing over your credit card to a waiter at a restaurant.

It is a false and destructive impression. Yes there are threats. Of course there are criminals and terrorists who use the internet.

Safe payment systems exist that can be trusted, and using them is safer than using your EFTPOS card at your local dairy. Yes, you can be ripped off, if you are wise, you are unlike to be. Instead of a fuzzy video crime-watch mug shot, we have trails of validated digital evidence, enabling authorities to catch online thieves.

We must evolve technical proficiency second to none in the world and gain confidence with technology. The fact is that internet commerce, well implemented, keeps an audit trail of transactions. These include fraud. If our police forces kept up with the play technically they would be able to follow up 100% of internet crime leads.

The internet is less like the Wild West but a highly monitored and trackable environment that makes life far more risky for the techo-crook.

The Police should be able to reassure the citizenry that it is safe to enter the temple. Instead we are fed caution and fear, we are given responsibility for that we can not control and it will continue to retard progress.