Do you feel safe online? Keep yourself up-to-date with what is happening in regards to online security with the PC Security News. This monthly publication, delivered by email, is chockfull of interesting news stories, tips for protecting yourself online and product information.
Sign up now for free.
Cybercrime gaining more attention
Computer crimes are the second most pervasive crime in Canada. Online criminals do not limit their evil deeds to the Maple Leaf country. Thirty-eight people, more than half of which are from Romania, were indicted in the United States in May for phishing scams.
"This crime isn't going away," Canadian Association of Police Boards chairman Ian Wilms was quoted as saying in a May 22 Calgary Herald story. "It’s actually escalating in size. The repercussions are huge if we don't start focusing on this as a major priority of society. We can’t afford to let the Internet become a no-man’s land."
Wilms' comments came after a nationwide study commissioned by the board was released. It showed that cybercrime, after drug trafficking, was the second most pervasive crime in the country. According to the 587 Canadians surveyed, 49 per cent were a victim of some kind of cybercrime, which includes identity theft, computer viruses, online harassment, child luring and pornography. Seventy per cent of the victims did not report the crime. Ninety-five per cent thought they were being targeted for cybercrime.
Identity theft is certainly a major component of cybercrime. It costs Canadians $2 billion annually, according to Wilms.
In the U.S., research firm Gartner estimated that 3.6 million adults lost $3.2 billion to phishing scams in a one-year period ending in August of 2007. Some of those were certainly victims of the 38 alleged criminals who were indicted in phishing-related offences in California and Connecticut federal District Courts in May.
Phishing usually involves sending fraudulent emails that include links directing people to fake websites that appear to be legitimate. The sites ask for personal information, often including banking and credit card numbers. The emails might also include attachments that, if clicked on, install spyware that captures personal information and sends it to third parties via the Internet.
The Romanian scammers reportedly impersonated such well known financial institutions as PayPal, Citibank and Capital One. After the victims supplied ATM and credit card numbers, their information was sent to "cashiers" in the U.S., who created false bank cards. These cards were tested, often for small amounts. If they worked, larger amounts – often equal to the banks’ maximums – were withdrawn. Some of this money was sent back to Romania.
"Criminals who exploit the power and convenience of the Internet do not recognize national borders; therefore our efforts to prevent their attacks cannot end at our borders either," U.S. Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip said in a May 21 Daily Tech article. "Through cooperation with our international partners, we can disrupt and dismantle those enterprises, just as we have done with these indictments and arrests."
Each month ParetoLogic features one of its sophisticated powerful software products for you to try and enjoy!
To learn more about this month’s freatured product, click on the buttons below; they will allow you to download the product, explain how to download the product or let you view an informative video about this exciting solution.
Scan Button (Scanning Screen)
Settings Button (Settings Options Screen)
