§ The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether estimates are correct that approximately 100,000 attempts to hack in to government websites are made daily, 30 per cent of which are classified as "serious". [HL1569]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThere are no figures recorded for intrusions or attempted intrusions into government websites. However, in common with all organisations which have websites, there are probes being carried out on a regular daily, even hourly, basis. The majority of these probes are carried out using automated processes and tools by hackers of very limited experience. These probes are obvious and are easily handled. However some probes are carried out by experts and are less obvious. Although probes are not in themselves illegal, those by experts can be the precursor to more serious attacks and therefore raise greater concern.