More than 53 percent of American households have access to the Internet. While this resource opens a whole new world of information, tools, and technology to people across the nation, it is also a haven for society s predators scam artists, child exploiters, stalkers, and thieves. My office is committed to ensuring that the Internet continues to offer freedom, opportunity, and economic growth while remaining a safe place to surf and shop. To do that, it is imperative we focus new resources to meet the challenge. It should come as no surprise computer crime is on the rise.
Electronic criminals exploit our children through child pornography and online enticement.
In 1995, the FBI investigated 113 cases involving online enticement of children. By 2000, the number had soared to 1,500. Internet criminals are becoming increasingly difficult to track, and evidence of their crimes is becoming more difficult to gather, preserve, and present. Also, the excessive cost of investigating and prosecuting cyber crime cases can create a drain on local resources. For this reason, new tools, techniques and expertise must be deployed to address groundbreaking legal questions.