Cybercrime as a Service Drives Cyber Attacks on Uber Accounts and More
January 26, 2016
Several articles lately have shined light on the dynamics at play in the cybercriminal marketplaces of the Dark Web; How much is your Uber account worth?, for example, was recently published on Daily Mail. Summarizing a report from security researchers at Trend Micro for CNBC, the article explains this new information extends the research previously done by Intel Security’s The Hidden Data Economy report. Beyond describing the value hierarchy where Uber and Paypal logins cost more than social security numbers and credit cards, this article shares insights on the bigger picture,
“’Like any unregulated, efficient economy, the cybercrime ecosystem has quickly evolved to deliver many tools and services to anyone aspiring to criminal behavior,’ said Raj Samani, chief technology officer for Intel Security EMEA. ‘This “cybercrime-as-a-service” marketplace has been a primary driver for the explosion in the size, frequency, and severity of cyber attacks.
‘The same can be said for the proliferation of business models established to sell stolen data and make cybercrime pay.’”
Moving past the shock value of the going rates, this article draws our attention to the burgeoning business of cybercrime. Similarly to the idea that Google has expanded the online ecosystem by serving as a connector, it appears marketplaces in the Dark Web may be carving out a similar position. Quite the implications when you consider the size of the Dark Web.
Megan Feil, January 26, 2016
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Cybercrime to Come
December 2, 2015
Apparently, we haven’t seen anything yet. An article at Phys.org, “Kaspersky Boss Warns of Emerging Cybercrime Threats,” explain that personal devices and retail databases are just the beginning for cyber criminals. Their next focus has the potential to create more widespread chaos, according to comments from security expert Eugene Kaspersky. We learn:
“Russian online security specialist Eugene Kaspersky says cyber criminals will one day go for bigger targets than PCs and mobiles, sabotaging entire transport networks, electrical grids or financial systems. The online threat is growing fast with one in 20 computers running on Microsoft Windows already compromised, the founder and chief executive of security software company Kaspersky Lab told AFP this week on the sidelines of a cybersecurity conference in Monaco.”
The article also notes that hackers are constantly working to break every security advance, and that staying safe means more than installing the latest security software. Kaspersky noted:
“It’s like everyday life. If you just stay at home and if you don’t have visitors, you are quite safe. But if you like to walk around to any district of your city, you have to be aware of their street crimes. Same for the Internet.”
Kaspersky’s company, Kaspersky Lab, prides itself on its extensive knowledge of online security. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Moscow, the company is one of the leading security firms in the world.
Cynthia Murrell, December 2, 2015
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
Europol and FireEye Are Fighting Digital Crime
September 15, 2015
The Internet is a hotbed for crime and its perpetrators and Europol is one of the main organizations that fights it head on. One the problems that Europol faces is the lack of communication between law enforcement agencies and private industry. In a landmark agreement that will most likely be followed by others, The Inquirer reports “Europol and FireEye Have Aligned To Fight The International Cyber Menace.”
FireEye and Eurpol have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) where they will exchange information, so law enforcement agencies and private industry will be able to share information in an effort to fight the growing prevalence of cyber crime. Europol is usually the only organization that disseminates information across law enforcement agencies. FireEye is eager to help open the communication channels.
” ‘The threat landscape is changing every day and organizations need to stay one step ahead of the attackers,’ said Richard Turner, president for EMEA at FireEye. ‘Working with Europol means that, as well as granting early access to FireEye’s threat intelligence, FireEye will be able to respond to requests for assistance around threats or technical indicators of compromise in order to assist Europol in combating the ever increasing threat from cyber criminals.’ ”
The MoU will allow for exchange of information about cyber crime to aid each other in prevention and analyze attach methods. The Inquirer, however, suspects that information will only be shared one way. It does not explain which direction, though. The MoU is going to be a standard between Big Data companies and law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement agencies are notorious for being outdated and understaffed; relying on information and software from private industry will increase cyber crime prevention.
Whitney Grace, September 15, 2015
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, publisher of the CyberOSINT monograph
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