Cyber Crime Pays Better than Drug Trafficking

According to David Freer of Symantec, cyber crime nets more money than drug trafficking. An identity is stolen every three seconds worldwide, and the stolen identity is often sold.

Hackers attempting to steal identities and bank information often use a variety of tactics. These include employing bots, malware and phishing scams. The stolen information is then used to either drain bank accounts, or is sold in an online…

Record High for Malware

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, malware levels are at a record high.

Fake anti-virus software has increased almost 600 percent in the first six months of 2009.

The chairman of the APWG said, “The Internet has never been more dangerous.” The number of phishing websites has increased dramatically and the number of Trojans that target bank data has risen close to 200 percent….

Journalists in China Targeted by Cyber Attack

According to an investigation by a team of Canadian researchers, foreign journalists operating in China are being subjected to malware attacks.

The malware surrenders control of the infected to computer to a remote user.

Journalists receive emails alleging to be from the economic editor who is planning a trip to China. Attached is a PDF file that contains a relatively accurate list of local contacts. When the PDF is…

Trojan Steals Thousands of Dollars from Schools in Illinois

A Trojan virus appears to be responsible for the theft of more than $300,000 from a school district in Illinois, according to investigative authorities.

The case involving the Chrystal Lake School District is currently under investigation by the FBI.

The attack used a Clampi virus, which when downloaded to the victim’s computer, steals login and account information for bank accounts. The information is then sent to the…

Subcommittee Approves Bill to Increase Cybersecurity Capability

A bill to increase research and funding for cyber security was passed unanimously by the House Science Research Subcommittee.

The bill requires DoD, NSF and DHS to develop programs to increase cybersecurity research and to authorize and grant funding for cybersecurity training.

The prospective legislation is meant to help better secure cyberspace by helping more potential cyber professionals receive training while also conducting long-term research on cyber threats and…

MI5 Use Teens for Cyber Defense

According to Daily Express, MI5 has hired approximately 50 individuals, some of whom are still teens, to help combat cyber attacks.

The new employees have already traced cyber attacks to Pakistan, China, and Russia and messages from terrorists serving sentences in a maximum security prison in Britain.

Most of the new hires are of Asian descent and are subject to the same security protocols as other intelligence professionals employed…

Malicious Hacker Site Shut Down by ‘Good Hackers’

A group of white hat hackers calling themselves War Against Cyber Crime recently attacked a site for malicious hackers.

The group hacked into the website and stole information on login information and email addresses of site users, publishing the information on the Internet according to The Register.

The site was used by hackers to trade information and new techniques along with stolen information like credit-card numbers.

War Against Cyber Crime…

South Korean and US Government Websites Hacked: Is This Just The Beginning?

On July 4th United States government computers were hacked by unknown persons. The computer attacks effected the US Department of Treasury, the Federal Trade Commission, the Transportation Department, the Secret Service and other government agencies. Reports have also surfaced indicating the attack spread as wide as the Pentagon and the New York Stock Exchange. It is unclear how many denile-of-service attacks effected US computers; the White House has only acknowledged that a cyber…

Melissa Hathaway to Present 60-Day Cyber Plan

All the trend-spotting eyes in the cyber world are watching their Google alerts for the name Melissa Hathaway as they wait anxiously for her 60-day report.

Expected in the report is an assessment and recommendations on what direction the Obama administration should take to keep U.S. networks, government and private networks safe from the growing threat of escalating cyber…