Cyber-cops target local ISP's

17 Feb 2001

[Bradford ISP Legend Internet]

West Yorkshire Police have been visiting Internet Service Providers (ISP's), including Bradford's "Legend Internet", seeking co-operation in their efforts to combat "cyber-crime".

They have been persuading ISP's to retain "internet service logs" - which contain the details of every communication passing through the network - for periods of up to 7 years. It was these logs that helped trace the activities of the "Wonderland" paedophile ring.

The move follows the publication last year of a classified report by Roger Gaspar, Director of Intelligence for the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), which insists that the police and Intelligence services should have automatic access to all telephone calls, e-mails and internet connections in the UK. Last month Home Secretary Jack Straw confirmed that he'd assigned £337,000 to the NCIS for a feasibility study on establishing a specialised "cyber force".

These developments are linked to the "Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP)" Bill, which became law last July. This law allows MI5 to fit "black boxes" directly into the ISP's networks, giving instant access to all communications passing through them. But it is expected to be some time yet before it is fully realised.

Co-operation between Legend Internet and the police has already produced results. Earlier this month a 24 year old computer programmer from Woodside was cautioned for offences under the Computer Misuses Act 1990. The former employee of a web design company had sabotaged the website of one of his company's clients - textile suppliers Alpha Tops. Legend, who hosted the website, were able to track down the culprit through their service logs.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Hyde of West Yorkshire Police said:

"This is the first case in Bradford where we have arrested someone for deliberately attacking a website, and only the third in West Yorkshire. It clearly demonstrates how the police can track down criminals committing offences on the Internet and should act as a warning to people."

Mark Elders of Legend Internet told KDIS:

"We do get visits from the police from time to time to see if we can help them with their inquiries. We are compelled by law to operate under the terms and conditions of the 'Data protection Act' and in some extreme cases, can be ordered by the courts to release information to the police for investigation and as evidence. As yet there is no legal order for ISP's to operate with 'black box', or with any information retention system. Simply we are not yet obliged to offer any information to anyone unless ordered by the courts."