Cybercrime on the rise in Belgium, says Federal Police

The number of reported cases of ICT crime in Belgium rose to 20,536 in 2012, 37.5% higher than the year before, according to an annual study released by the Belgian federal police department in charge of economic and financial crime (DFJ), reports Telecompaper. The number of recorded cases in 2011 stood at 14,801. The study noted the rise of new ransomware viruses, which allow hackers to block computers and then demand a ransom. The study added that paying often does not help the victim. Phishing also increased, soaring by 943% to 1,003 cases in 2012 from 94 in 2011.