Cyber crime moves with the times and techology
Criminals attracted to social media
Cyber criminals are attracted to the grouping of systems, such as social media networks, as they provide access to several ‘victims’ in the same contained space, often with limited security. Social media sites attempt to regulate the interaction of individuals through certain invitation and verification processes.
However, in the past it has been these processes, which have been used as cybercrime tools. Users were invited to create a “circle of trust” and thus generate privacy settings, access permissions and activity notifications, giving the user a sense of control over their network. However, these features would then flood the user with information, lulling the user into mindlessly clicking buttons to avoid pop-ups and notifications, making the inattentive user vulnerable to malicious bait.
Social networks are also key platforms for cyber criminals seeking personally identifiable information, due to the sheer amount of personal information put on open display. The KOOBFACE botnet was the social network disease of 2009, installing itself on users’ Windows machines and stealing Windows’ digital product IDs, internet profiles, email credentials, FTP credentials, and IM application credentials.
This botnet turned trusted, high-use programs such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, FileZilla and Windows Live and Passport.NET profiles into vulnerable cyber crime hotspots. This trend in malware exposes the user to the risk of identity theft, bank violation and other related security threats. In the past, using a less popular OS platform like the Mac OS was a common security measure to minimise these threats, however with the increase of Mac usage coupled with cyber criminals’ love of a challenge, adopting new technology is no longer a safety net.
Expect the unexpected
Technology ultimately aims to make life more convenient by promoting connectivity and mobility. However, making life more convenient for the consumer often makes crime more expedient for the cyber criminal. In 2010 this trend will continue, but its execution may be a little different, a little more sophisticated and crop up somewhere a little more unexpected.
–Greg Boyle is Global Product Manager (Small Business) at Trend Micro Australia and New Zealand.