Anti-virus software sucks up too much security cash claims study

Governments should focus more funds on policing the internet and less on anti-virus software, according to new research.

Computer scientists at the University of Cambridge carried out the cybercrime study after being approached by the UK's Ministry of Defence.

The report indicated that the UK was spending almost £640m annually on the problem. It said less than £10m of that sum was spent on cybercrime law enforcement. The team worked with colleagues in Germany, the Netherlands, the USA and UK to compile the study. They considered all the main types of cybercrime, including online payment and banking fraud.