Botnets Lead to Identity Theft
When a virus recruits an infected PC into a botnet, a criminal hacker is able to remotely access all the data on that computer.
Robot networks, or botnets, have a varied history. A bot, which doesn’t necessarily have to be malicious or harmful, is essentially a program designed to connect to a server and execute a command or series of commands.
As reported by a McAfee study, networks of bots, otherwise known as drones or zombies, are often used to commit cybercrime. This can include “stealing trade secrets, inserting malware into source code files, disrupting access or service, compromising data integrity, and stealing employee identity information. The results to a business can be disastrous and lead to the loss of revenue, regulatory compliance, customer confidence, reputation, and even of the business itself. For government organizations, the concerns are even more far reaching.”
In the second quarter of 2010, more than two million PCs were recruited into botnets in the United States alone. That’s Full Post…
Come On “Crime Stoppers:” Help Law Enforcement Capture ID Theft Criminal Who Defrauded 500 People
We often lean on law enforcement to do the dirty work wen it comes to fighting identity theft. And, rightly so…they are the professionals and are doing a fine job in fighting the battle everyday. But, wouldn’t it be cool to be the person who calls in a tip that leads to the capture and arrest of a criminal who runs an identity theft ring with 500 victims?
That is right. Crime stoppers wants your help. Right now, in NYC, law enforcement is looking for Raven Moses, (pictured) for identity theft and bank fraud scheme involving thousands of counterfeit checks with numerous commercial banks in Manhattan, police said. Moses, along with other individuals, obtained personal and bank account information and used it to write thousands of counterfeit checks.
According to the police, the defendants stole more than “$1.4 million from one bank’s accounts and substantial additional sums from other banks.”
Here’s your chance to be a hero. Anyone with
Data Breaches Cost Hospitals $6 Billion Annually
According to a new study hospitals are struggling to protect patient information and data breaches cost the health care industry $6 billion annually.
The survey conducted by the Ponemon Institute included 65 health care organizations. Of the 65 surveyed, an alarming 60 percent of respondents said they have suffered more than two breaches in the past two years.
The top three causes of breaches were unintentional employee action, lost or stolen computing devices and third-party accidents. The average number of lost or stolen records per breach was 1,769.
The survey found that breaches have cost the U.S. health care system $12 billion over the past two years. T
PODCAST: Heather K. Wyson of BITS Discusses Financial Accounts Takeovers By Cyber Criminals
Unfortunately, Cyber criminals are getting smarter and more sophisticated in their strategies and tactics. An emerging threat to the financial sector is account takeover, where the cyber criminals obtain access to financial accounts by targeting employees – often senior executives or accounting and HR personnel – and cause the targeted individual to spread malicious software (or “malware”) which in turn steals their personal information and log-in credentials.
Following is an exclusive podcast with Heather Wyson, Vice President of BITS, a division of the Financial Services Roundtable. She wil
Leaked Social Security Numbers Put “Personal Security and Safety at Risk”
The Florida Democratic Party responded by stating, “We apologize for the oversight of not redacting this information from the public record included in the mailer,” and by offering West two years of identity theft monitoring, but West says he will not accept their money.
Meanwhile, in Virginia, a judge has ruled it is legal to post Social Security numbers on websites. Every city, state, and town has its own set of regulations determining the collection and management of public records, including birth, death, marriage, court, property, and business filings. Many of these documents include Social Security numbers. And many are posted on the Internet.
The Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law that establishes a code of fair information practices governing the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information in federal record systems.
Back in 1974, identity theft wasn’t an issue, so having your Social Security number on your driver’s license, school ID, and most other documents wasn’t a big deal. Then some Full Post…