The brunt of economic and financial losses caused by such crime is also borne by the private sector. It is therefore clearly in the interest of the private sector to ensure that computer crime is reined in. The private sector has indeed responded to the challenge of cyber crime in a number of ways. The copyright industry strives to protect its members works from being illegally transmitted via the Internet. Filter or nanny software programs are available to protect children from the influence of indecent or obscene materials carried on the Internet.
Security is also a standard feature in devising Internet browsing programs.
Nonetheless, it is commonly accepted that, by and large, information security awareness and consequently information security measures still leave much room for improvement. For example, devastating losses and painful reconstruction could have been avoided by making regular backup copies of data. Simple security steps such as changing one s password frequently and not sharing it with others, and logging off from an Intranet environment before accessing the Internet are not always observed. Investment in information security devices has yet to be universally accepted as part and parcel of the essential operating cost of a commercial concern. Similarly, respect for intellectual property rights, and hence the need to use genuine application software programs, sometimes takes second place to cost considerations.