Internet use and abuse

A Russian blogger from the city of Perm is being prosecuted for posting false information about planned criminal acts on the internet.

Dmitry Shirinkin wrote on his blog that he had purchased a gun and is going to kill some 20 to 30 people in one of the city’s high schools.

But Dmitry said the text was only a creative writing piece inspired by the Virginia Tech shooting.

However, the case has already been sent for trial.

A Russian computer hacker, along with four partners, has been detained in the U.S. on charges of electronic theft.

They're alleged to have used the Internet to steal $US 1,5 MLN from people on the Forbes 400 list.

They face a possible 25 years in jail, if found guilty.