mi2g, the digital security researchers report hacks are up, but the number ofhackers is down:

the number of hacker groups active worldwide post September 11th has dropped sharply and is currently at a three year low. Draconian measures enforced in the US, UK and other countries fighting the war on terrorism have led to the apprehension of several members of international hacking groups including Fluffi Bunni in April, who worked at a reputable communications group in the UK.

Although the number of overt attacks in 2003 stands currently at an all time high of 89,384, the number of hackers contributing to those attacks has dropped to 1,152. The record for the highest number of active hackers continues to be held by 2001, when 2,597 hackers were active.

A large number of the notorious American, European and Far Eastern hackers have gone underground as they are hunted by law enforcement agencies for digital crimes committed in the run up to 9/11 or immediately after when surveillance by government agencies was heightened significantly.

"If it had not been for the rise of Latin American and pro-Islamic hacker groups operating worldwide in 2002, the whole area of overt digital attacks would have been made barren. However, the criminal syndicates have been lured by the rising loot available from online shopping and trading systems. The 9/11 fallout has also been used by hacktivists to make a point regardless of consequences," said DK Matai, Executive Chairman, mi2g. "It is a bit like the age of tailor made and elaborate digital attacks is concluding. There is a strong move towards easy-to-use automated tools which are freely available. In 2001, a single hacker group would carry out an average of 10 successful overt attacks over the year. In 2003, a single hacker group is carrying out an average of about 150 attacks per year."