Since early 2003, the Internet and its users have suffered through
viruses and other infectious programs. Hackers are hijacking millions
of personal computers to use them to do this dirty work or to get
vital information -- like bank account and social security numbers.
As millions of Americans buy new personal computers (PC) and use
high-speed connections to get more done, the more information Internet
criminals can access. The easiest targets are home-users, students
and small business owners.
Computer VooDoo
The new strategy for cybercrooks is to tap into a machine and use
it to send spam or commit more serious offenses.
While the attacks on PCs used to be a mere nuisance and done for
bragging rights, today's cybercrook is out get real money.
It seems that these malicious programs enlist an army of zombie
PCs. The hackers then sell access to zombie networks to spammers,
blackmailers and identity thieves who orchestrate fraudulent for-profit
schemes.
According to some experts, in mid-2004, spam made up 94.5 percent
of e-mail traffic, nearly double from a year before. In fact, about
40 percent of spam may come from zombie networks.
Phishing for Finances
Phishing scams are more costly ventures. Hackers send an e-mail
message directly to a consumer. It usually links the users to a
Web page that tricks them into surrendering personal information.
These trick pages mimic the look and feel of authentic pages. They
usually look like data request forms and may tell the user updated
information is needed to rectify a denial of service, security check,
account problem or other issue. A separate zombie, usually a more
powerful PC, often in a remote country, serves up the counterfeit
Web page. Another zombie stores the stolen information.
Often, to remain undetected, cybercrooks withdraw only a few dollars,
or even cents, at a time.
Experts estimate millions of dollars are being taken from online
banking accounts, which are becoming more popular.
What the Government and Consumers are
Doing
Hackers quickly sell stolen account information on Web sites. Buyers
may access bank account or use credit card numbers to make illegal
purchases.
Until recently, little has been done to stop such attacks, which
experts say have increased by 10 times in less than a year. Consumers
remain seduced by the Internet's convenience, and e-commerce is
becoming more popular with more types of people.
USA
Today September 8, 2004
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