Sgt Cashmore says that individuals should take precautions to protect their computers by using virus checkers and firewall software, but should not get the risk out of proportion. If you take reasonable precautions you are adding some form of safety to protect your property and your valuables. The data that you've got on your computer is a valuable commodity to you, and there are records you may have on your computer, financial affairs, accounts, which you wouldn't want to fall into the hands of other people. User groups are a way for offenders to exchange pictures, and arrange meetings. The head of Wiltshire's fraud squad, Detective Inspector Paul Ginger, says the government needs to do more to raise public awareness of the threat from computer-related crime.
People can use internet providers or servers all over the world.
D.I. Ginger says that the sheer volume of cases means that the computer crime unit is operating close to its limit. He wants more resources, but recognises that there are problems. I would love more officers to be able to do this type of work, but one has to be realistic.