enigma1 - 12:47 pm on Sep 27, 2010 (gmt 0)

but isn't it against the law not to report a crime?

I do not follow very well. First of all report it where? So I am a site owner I check my server logs, I see hack attempts (hundreds of them, on one site daily). Report what and where?

I also get hundreds of phishing emails (malware attachments etc) daily for just few domains I control directly. Again report what and where?

Can you be a bit more specific? If you mean I should report the attempts to my host or the host who initiates attacks, then that is common knowledge. They know because it happens continuously and reporting it nothing happens. And who are you going to go after and with what resources? Legal proceedings aren't free and it's highly unlikely to target the right entity.

So there are some organizations who deal with these matters because there is a certain financial benefit behind and they will accept reports you file. But even that requires certain knowledge and still takes considerable time.

Probably the source of the hack is going to be on the other side of the world, in a country where lawlessness abounds

Yes, or the hack can also be right from your system if it's compromised in some way.

I believe I mentioned in a similar thread that the closest entities they could do something about it, are the browser vendors. Most of the problems originate from there, because these are the tools people use to surf. Improving the security on browsers and educating its users, will surely reduce the hack incidents.