">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: Cisco
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: Cisco
AFP - Tuesday, July 14
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - - Cyber criminals are aping executives when it comes to sales, marketing and risk management in the world of online treachery, according to a report released by networking giant Cisco.
ADVERTISEMENT
"A lot of techniques they are using today are not new; it is really about how they may be doing some of the same old things," said Cisco chief security researcher Patrick Peterson.
"The novel thing is that they have taken the Harvard Business School, General Electric board room business training and applied it to their old techniques."
The California technology firm specializing in computer networking gear summarized current threats in a "Midyear Security Report" that concludes hackers are increasingly operating like successful businesses.
Peterson cited how cyber hackers capitalized on interest in the death of pop icon Michael Jackson in late June.
Disasters, celebrity doings and other major news is routine fodder for bogus emails and websites booby-trapped with computer viruses, but in the case of Jackson's death, crooks cranked out fake news stories to dupe readers.
"They had their criminal copy editors working on copy for the story as fast as it happened," Peterson said.
"They brought the Jackson story to market in a way that rivals media outlets. They have an advantage; they don't have to do any reporting."
Billions of spam messages with links to trick websites or videos promising scintillating Jackson images and information were fired off in the days after his June 25 death, according to Cisco.
"Sales leads" that followed online links were turned into "customers," whose computers were stealthily infected with nefarious codes for stealing data, usurping control of machines or other evil deeds.
Cyber criminals are reportedly embracing a nefarious version of a "cloud computing" trend of offering computer applications online as services.
Commanders of infected computers woven into "botnet" armies rent out illegally assembled networks to fellow criminals for sending spam, launching attacks or other deeds, according to Cisco.
Peterson told of an "anti-anti-virus" online operation called "Virtest" that charges hackers monthly fees to keep them informed about which security firms can detect their malicious programs.
"It's a criminal service," Peterson said of the operation, which appears to be based in Russia. "We've seen lots of examples of criminals sharing tools, but we've never seen a commercial business like this."
Spammers also employ a business marketing practice of packing booby-trapped websites with terms typically used as keywords in various Internet search engines so that their links land high in query results.
Cisco referred to the practice as "Spamdexing."
"Because so many consumers tend to trust and not be suspicious of rankings on leading search engines, they may readily download one of the fake software packages assuming it is legitimate," Cisco said in the report.
Cyber crooks are also hunting for prey in the rapidly expanding population of mobile telephone users by sending trick text messages.
Criminals have taken to sending blanket text messages to numbers based on area codes of local banks directing people to call into a service center to address supposed concerns about their accounts.
Callers are connected to automated voice systems that, feigning to represent the banks, ask people to enter account passwords and other personal information that can later be exploited, Peterson said.
Online social networks, according to Cisco, are becoming popular "customer acquisition" territory for cyber criminals.
"It's big business now to penetrate those networks," said Peterson.
People in online communities are more likely to click on links and download content they believe is from people they know and trust, the report said.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Internet Portals & Search Engines
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: CiscoAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Microsoft touts early feedback on BingAFP - Tuesday, July 14
First trip to moon recreated for Internet generationAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Investor offer values Facebook at 6.5 bln dlrsAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Related Articles: Technology
Schoolboy enlightens investors on teen media habitsAFP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: CiscoAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Microsoft touts early feedback on BingAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Konica Minolta to start new film plant by autumn 2010Reuters - Tuesday, July 14
First trip to moon recreated for Internet generationAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Enlarge Photo
Cyber criminals are aping executives when it comes to sales, marketing and risk management in the world of online treachery, according to a report released by networking giant Cisco. "A lot of techniques they are using today are not new; it is really about how they may be doing some of the same old things," said Cisco chief security researcher Patrick Peterson.
Related Photos
Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines
Related Full Coverage
Internet Portals & Search Engines
Latest development in the online world
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Technology
Viewed
Worst yet to come: White House economic advisor
Goldman Sachs execs sold $700m of stock: report
Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey
Jackson 'best father' ever, daughter tells the world
Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 Opel stirs renewed takeover speculation
South Korea downgrades cyber attack alert
Judge postpones trial in UBS tax secrecy case
Russian president in unexpected visit to S.Ossetia
NASA to make fifth attempt to launch Endeavour
Microsoft moving Office online in duel with Google
400-bln-euro plan to pump African solar power to Europe
U.S. military boss urges Iraq to settle differences
| International
|
Disputed Iraqi city fears oil will only fuel woes
British government criticized over Afghanistan equipment
| International
|
Costa Rica eyes fresh Honduras mediation talks
| International
|
Darfur rebels threaten to boycott "chaotic" talks
U.S. envoy explores Israel-Syria talks: report
| International
|
U.S. worried about American scholar detained in Iran
| International
|
U.S. ambassador to Iraq unhurt by convoy bomb
Myanmar says to amnesty prisoners before elections
| International
|
Russia's Medvedev visits South Ossetia, defying West
| International
|
Iraq curfew in some Christian areas after church bombs
Israeli minister dismisses EU official's peace ideas
Investor values Facebook common stock at $6.5 billion
| Technology
|
Take Two revises forecast, delays game launch
| Technology
|
Mexico sets rules for mobile telephone banking
| Technology
|
Moratorium sought in Utah on depleted uranium
AP-GfK Poll method, questions and results
States ask FCC's OK to jam prison cell phones
US Supreme Court fight opens in Congress
More storms threaten Monday shuttle launch attempt
Convention organizer found dead in NY hotel room
Analysis: Translating the Sotomayor hearing code
Graham predicts Sotomayor OK 'barring meltdown'
Chow quits Kato role in 'The Green Hornet'
Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith start 'Karate Kid' remake
EU plans to sign $100 bln S.Korea trade pact in '09
Pakistani clerics condemn theft of electricity
IMAX focused on Asia as part of global expansion
Actor Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmy Awards show
| Entertainment
|
Pakistan to set monetary policy on July 25 -c.bank
From Bikini Bottom to pop icon; SpongeBob turns 10
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea LG Chem buys 30,000T naphtha for late Aug
Judge denies Richard Hatch's Survivor reunion
| Entertainment
|
BB shows Montreux fans why he's King of the Blues
| Entertainment
|
George W. Bush inspired writer Tariq Ali
| Entertainment
|
Iraq boosts security in Christian areas after attacks
McDermott says stepmom Eve Ensler led him to act
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
George W. Bush inspired writer Tariq Ali
BB shows Montreux fans why he's "King of the Blues"
800,000 expected at French rock icon's Eiffel Tower concert
Nepal introduces grants for inter-caste marriages
'Gonzo' filmmakers hit London for Bhopal protest
Indian troops honoured on France's Bastille Day
Warhol's Jackson portrait dropped from NY auction
Mexico sets rules for mobile telephone banking
Jewish athletes converge on Israel for Maccabiah
Mali denies it paid ransom for Swiss hostage
Japan PM woes persist before vote, party in disarray
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
US auto task force changes leaders after GM exit
Jackson wasn't ready for London comeback: father
Facebook gets $6.5 billion valuation with share sale
US soldiers in Iraq charged with filming women
Chinese spy probe widens; Australia wants haste
| International
|
Investor offer values Facebook at 6.5 bln dlrs
Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan; casualties
| International
|
AP settles lawsuit with AHN Media
Iran executes Sunni rebels: report
| International
|
Goldman Sachs execs sold $700m of stock: report
Turkish PM told to take back Xinjiang genocide remark
| International
|
Swine flu pandemic now 'unstoppable': WHO official
Police injured in N.Ireland march season violence
Mosaid sues IBM for patent infringement
Turkey signs big Europe gas pipe deal
Take Two reduces forecast, delays game launch
US deficit reaches more than one trillion dollars
Medvedev in surprise visit to rebel Georgian region
Suspected drug hitmen dump 12 bodies on Mexico road
| International
|
Microsoft seeking buyer for Razorfish: WSJ
Ousted Honduran president issues talks ultimatum
| International
|
Facebook gets $6.5 billion valuation with share sale
| Technology
|
Blockbuster, Samsung set on-demand video pact
| Technology
|
Southwest inspects planes after emergency landing
Mosaid sues IBM for patent infringement
| Technology
|
High-tech drugs would get 12-yr market protection
Monsoon floodwaters drown 7 in bus in India
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama is latest duffer in chief
Chinese iron probe widens; Australia wants haste
Konica Minolta to start new film plant by autumn 2010
| Technology
|
Monsoon floodwaters drown 7 in eastern India
Suburban Philly pool faces discrimination suit
Chines intellectuals call for release of Uighur
NKorea's Kim tours factory amid health speculation
Palin's PAC reports raising more than $730,000
Mexico, US set protocol on weapons cooperation
Myanmar dangles amnesty, UN demands prisoner release
Cadel Evans knows allies may be hard to find
3 dead after Amtrak train hits vehicle in Illinois
Clinton: Vetting for USAID job 'ridiculous'
Japan lifts ban on children donating organs
Hopes for Ishikawa to lift struggling Japan golf
Reports: China probes 5 steelmakers in Rio case
Moderate earthquake strikes offshore Taiwan
Taiwan could issue more bonds to fund stimulus-paper
Taiwan dollar off 2-½ month low, eyes on stocks
US, China set date for new high-level dialogue
Seoul shares open higher as banks, techs rally
NZ well placed for recovery, needs weak currency-RBNZ
Actor Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmy Awards show
EU regulator reveals cartel probe into LCD firms
IMAX focused on Asia as part of global expansion
Lady GaGa charts third No. 1 on Mainstream Top 40
| Entertainment
|
Idol champ Sparks at peace with Battlefield
| Entertainment
|
Indie distributor Oscilloscope greets Messenger
| Entertainment
|
Finns find their feet at tango street festival
Bruno tailored in UK for younger crowd
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
The gods have spoken: Portman tapped for Thor
| Entertainment
|
"Ephemeres" makes lasting impression
Fans gather in London where Jackson was to perform
| Entertainment
|
Lady GaGa charts third No. 1 on Mainstream Top 40
Ephemeres makes lasting impression
| Entertainment
|
Close pal to issue Farrah Fawcett book next month
| Entertainment
|
Toby Keith puts "American Ride" in high gear
French beach boys feeling good surfing vibrations
Actress Maura Tierney to have breast tumor surgery
| Entertainment
|
Jackson's mother seeks to be trustee of his estate
ABT's many Romeos, Juliets are studies in contrast
Fans gather in London where Jackson was to perform
Close pal to issue Farrah Fawcett book next month
Kids Of Ex-Cop Jailed Nearly 20 Years For Molestation Say Dad Did Not Abuse Them
Britney Spears Changes Her Stage Show To Make Sure She Doesn't Get "Bored"
Teen Becomes Youngest African-American Female To Fly Across U.S. Solo
Invasive Pythons Wreaking Havoc In Florida
Transplant Drug May One Day Extend Human Life
GM Considering Partnering With eBay To Sell Cars
Joe Jackson To Put Michael's Children On Tour
Helicopter crash kills six in Afghanistan: NATO
German investor confidence posts surprise drop
Khmer Rouge interrogator says no regrets about deaths
| International
|
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: Cisco
Cats purrfect the art of getting what they want: study
West Bank car accident injures 3 Israelis
EU assembly gets first president from Eastern Europe
| International
|
Microsoft touts early feedback on Bing
Poverty hampering access to vaccine: WHO chief
'Virginia Woolf's beach' sold for £80,000
Konica Minolta to start new film plant by autumn 2010
Youths mark Bastille Day by burning cars in France
Iran hangs 13 members of rebel Sunni Muslim group
Rwanda governor jailed for life for genocide
| International
|
First trip to moon recreated for Internet generation
CORRECTED: Blair says West Bank bottom-up effort gets result
| International
|
Somali gunmen kidnap two French security advisers
| International
|
Two Israeli warships cross Suez Canal
| International
|
Liberia's Taylor takes stand to deny war crimes
| International
|
23 militants killed in clashes in Pakistan
NATO: 6 killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash
AP NewsAlert
China city tense after police shooting kills 2
Deadly Pakistan clashes, NATO tanker ambushed: officials
Poor IT job market may fuel online crime: Cisco
| Technology
|
Japan PM hit by censure motion
China stops shock therapy for Internet addicts
Madoff leaves Atlanta lockup, headed to NC prison
Obama goes to Michigan, then All-Star Game
NTSB to issue final report on Boston trolley crash
China bans electro-shock therapy for Internet addicts
| Technology
|
Australia braces for mass swine flu vaccination
Interrogator at Khmer Rouge prison denies torture
Low gas prices hurt sales of high-ethanol E85 fuel
Japan PM survives no confidence vote
Trucker who went on killing spree awaits execution
AP source: Review planned for terror alert system
AP sources: Obama wants Senate health bill quickly
Key terms used in Sotomayor confirmation hearings
Indonesia blames separatists for Papua attacks
Hoarded art by 'quirky' collector could net $20M
Toyota rolls out first hybrid-only Lexus model
Iran singer gets jail term for Koran disrespect
LA mayor: City will pay costs from Jackson event
Michael Jackson family says concert plans too much for him
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan to welcome many China tourists in 2009: Ma
Son of late porn mogul Mitchell suspect in killing
S.Korea's OCI denies report on chairman being probed
ID'ing the masses may solve Indian identity crisis
"Bruno" tailored in UK for younger crowd
The gods have spoken: Portman tapped for "Thor"
S.Korean police: Hackers extracted data in attacks
Offshore holdings of NZ govt debt fall in June
Writer Claims "Lost" Was Ripped Off From Pilot He Wrote In '77
Gift-wrapped Fan Stalks Boy Band JLS
Beauty And The Beast: Emma Watson And Marilyn Manson Team For Gothic Cinderella
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights