cyber attacks

WASHINGTON (AP) -- North Korea experienced sweeping and progressively worse Internet outages extending into Monday, with one computer expert saying the country's online access is "totally down." The White House and the State Department declined to say whether the U.S. government was responsible.

More than a half-million computers in over 100 countries were infected by sophisticated malware that lets cybercriminals remotely hijack a computer and its webcam, authorities said as charges were announced Monday against nearly 100 people worldwide.

Despite years of security advancements, attacks over the Internet are still very common. In fact, recent reports show a sharp increase in viruses and other cyber attacks over the past few years.

How vulnerable is the U.S. to a cyber-attack?  Experts say it's now become the number one threat to the nation's security, but New Jersey is taking steps to protect crucial information.

FBI Director Robert Mueller said Wednesday that terrorists may seek to train their own recruits or hire outsiders with an eye toward pursuing cyber attacks on the United States.