Probe on cyber crimes sought

The "Love Bug" probe continues.

A senator urged his colleagues yesterday to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the circumstances surrounding the "ILOVEYOU" or Love Bug computer virus which crippled millions of computers around the world early this month.

Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., who chairs the Senate committee on science and technology, said lawmakers should do an inquiry on cyber terrorism and other computer crimes.

He said the probe will also look into the capability of the government to safeguard local electronic systems from attacks.

"The government should be ready for cyber terrorism and crimes in the electronic media, the effects of which are so instantaneous and threatening," Magsaysay said.

The senator suggested that the Senate invite computer students Onel de Guzman and Michael Buen, both suspected of creating and unleashing the ILOVEYOU virus. He also proposed that experts in the Internet and computer programming and officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) be asked to attend hearings.

The NBI earlier admitted that it was losing the battle against the suspected authors of the virus which allegedly emanated from the Philippines and wreaked havoc on computer systems worldwide, causing at least $10 billion worth of damages.

Magsaysay sponsored Senate Bill 1902 or the Electronic Commerce Act which senators passed on first reading last month. The bill is now being deliberated on in the House of Representatives.

The senator also filed another proposed measure, Senate Bill 2025 or the Computer Fraud and Abuses Act, which provides protection against various fraud done through computers.