Tag Archives: Cybercrime

MPs warn of rise of identity-stealing bank-robbing malware

by Graham Cluley on February 2, 2012 | 2 Comments

Identity-stealing bank-robbing malware is a growing threat to Britain.

That's the conclusion of the UK Parliament's Science and Technology Select Committee who have published a report calling on the Government to launch a "prolonged awareness raising campaign to increase public understanding of personal online security."

Romanian NASA hacker gets suspended three-year sentence

by Lisa Vaas on January 20, 2012 | 6 Comments

A Romanian who admitted to hacking into NASA servers has received a three-year suspended prison sentence. Being tried in the US wouldn't have guaranteed jail time, so here's hoping the Obama administration wins in its pursuit of a mandatory three-year prison term for hacking critical infrastructure.

Hackers snatch $6.7m in South African cyber bank robbery

by Lisa Vaas on January 20, 2012 | 3 Comments

A mere three years after a South African bank spent $1.8 million on a new fraud-detection system, hackers managed to swindle $6.7 million out from under that system's nose. Although customer funds are thought to be safe, would you actually trust your money to an institution vulnerable to getting hacked so brutally?

Symantec source code breach saga continues

by Paul Ducklin on January 19, 2012 | 6 Comments

The wrangle between Indian cybercrew The Lords of Dhamaraja and Symantec over a source code breach in 2006 continues.

Whatever happened, the fact remains: this was a cybercrime and the "hackers" are the crooks.

FBI acknowledges more SCADA attacks, increases cyber budget

by Chester Wisniewski on December 13, 2011 | 4 Comments

The FBI acknowledged hackers have penetrated at least 3 US cities SCADA systems, one of them "major". The FBI is receiving a 12% budget increase for Cyber, but claims the division will double in size this year.

NASA hacker arrested, perhaps it is time for some defense?

by Chester Wisniewski on November 16, 2011 | 3 Comments

A hacker in Romania has been arrested and accused of breaking into NASA and causing $500,000 in damages.

FBI's 'Operation Ghost Click' takes out operators of DNS Changer malware network

by Paul Ducklin on November 10, 2011 | 7 Comments

The FBI is cock-a-hoop today, having just announced the bust of six Estonians for malware-related cybercrimes.

The case goes back to 2007, with the investigation itself apparently having taken two years.

DARPA pleads with hackers for help in cyberspace war

by Lisa Vaas on November 9, 2011 | 4 Comments

In a first-ever conference, officials warned that bloated security software is no match for lean, nimble malware as the country battles unnamed enemies.

Busted! Ukrainian cybercrime duo who ripped off $4.5 million sent to prison in UK

by Paul Ducklin on November 2, 2011 | 1 Comment

London's Metropolitan Police Service has announced the conviction and sentencing of two Ukrainian cybercrooks.

The pair raided innocent victims' bank accounts of at least $4.5 million in just six months.

Don't fight cybercrime on your own - do it with Synergy!

by Paul Ducklin on September 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Next week, I'll be talking at the Identity and Hi-Tech Crime Symposium 2011 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

There's still time for last-minute registrations at the event, so if you're in the region, why not join me there?

Protecting others from getting ripped off - online or offline

by Paul Ducklin on September 2, 2011 | 1 Comment

I've just returned form an event organised by the Queenland cybercops.

The Seniors' Fraud Protection Symposium brought law enforcement, business and industry groups together to work to reduce the exposure of seniors to financially-oriented crimes.

Australian bomb hoax suspect tracked across internet and arrested in Kentucky, USA

by Paul Ducklin on August 17, 2011 | 1 Comment

For the last two weeks, Australia has been fascinated with a peculiar crime committed in one of Sydney's most prestigious suburbs.

If you've heard the name of the victim, Madeleine Pulver, you've probably heard the story behind the crime.

London's Metropolitan police re-invest in fighting cybercrime

by Paul Ducklin on August 8, 2011 | 2 Comments

London's Metropolitan Police Service, colloquially known as The Met, has quadrupled the size of its cybercrime unit in the last two months.

This is a handy crime-fighting reversal after last year's 30% budget cut.

Obama outlines strategy to combat transnational cybercrime

by Chester Wisniewski on July 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

The White House unveiled their strategy on combating Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) organizations today. The document outlines their increased focus on international cybercriminals and the cooperation with foreign governments necessary to impact their operations.

Harvard Ethics youngster charged with massive online theft

by Paul Ducklin on July 20, 2011 | 2 Comments

A 24-year-old, described as a researcher at Harvard University's Center for Ethics, has been arrested in Massachusetts, USA, on a raft of computer crime charges.

The charge-sheet is curiously reminiscent of a hacker movie.

Is Facebook the right place to report a crime?

by Paul Ducklin on June 29, 2011 | 3 Comments

Ballarat, a country town in Australia, has made the news today thanks to social networking. One source has written that its "Cops Want Crimes Reported Via Facebook."

Actually, they don't, and it's important to realise why.

Cybersharks circle as Aussie tax year ends - so here's some advice for us all

by Paul Ducklin on June 24, 2011 | 1 Comment

Don't assume that fake websites will be obvious because of poor spelling, unprofessional layout or brand inaccuracies.

Here's some advice for our Aussie readers at tax time. Don't worry if you're not in Australia, or you're not worried about your tax affairs: the advice is valid worldwide, year-long.

FBI announces international cyberbusts: scareware peddlers and malvertisers taken out

by Paul Ducklin on June 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

"It seems so easy to be a cybercrook - why don't the police do something about it?"

Despite the technical and legal complexities of taking on international cybercrime, the cops sometimes do get their man - or men.

LulzSec, Anonymous and other hacks - should I change my password?

by Paul Ducklin on June 21, 2011 | 8 Comments

With all the data breaches in the news lately, it's hard to know whether you've been affected. Lots of people are asking, "Should I change my password?"

Helpful Sydney infosec guy Daniel Grzelak can help you answer that question.

Bitcoin currency collapse - where next for digital cash?

by Paul Ducklin on June 21, 2011 | 12 Comments

Bitcoin is an anonymous digital cash system. If you're worried about data breaches, privacy, identity theft, unwarranted surveillance and more, it sounds great.

Sadly, however, the Bitcoin infrastructure has suffered a catastrophic data breach of its own.