The Sasser worm author has confessed. Great, say many in the beleaguered tech industry. But why don't the authorities responsible for investigating virus attacks have a better track record?

For one thing, because computer viruses are so common, and the average damage to each user tends to be low, most investigatory resources are directed toward more quantifiably harmful computer crimes, such as fraud and embezzlement.

"Because of the statistical likelihood that everyone's computer will be affected by a virus sooner or later, viruses are not a targeted item. That's why agencies such as the FBI are more interested in the types of cyber crimes where money is stolen," David Perry, global director of education for Trend Micro , told NewsFactor.

By Russell Shaw at NewsFactor.

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