The Dark Side of the Internet - What I've Learned

For quite some time I've been researching Internet security in my spare time. When I began, I thought I knew something about it, but I was mistaken.

I'd like to share with you some of the things I've learned about the Dark Side of the Internet...

I knew about viruses (viri?) and worms. I'd heard of Trojans. Otherwise I was clueless.

I learned that malware is an abbreviation for malicious software.

I learned that there's much more to malware than I knew.

I thought that some, if not most of the malware created was written by teens proving themselves by hacking into websites and posting digital graffiti, or trying to break into the pentagon. I was very wrong.

I learned that cybercrime is big business. VERY BIG business... as in global... as in billions of dollars annually. There are certainly amateurs around the edges of this industry, but in the center are professional gangs. They're organized, sophisticated, well funded, and clever. Devious might be a better word. The amateurs do the dirty work, the risky work. They're a lot more likely to get caught.

I learned that malware is way more sophisticated that I knew. Did you know that there are now malware 'kits' being sold online for use by those less tech savvy?

The prices range from free, yes free, to $10,000 and more depending on the bells and whistles. These 'kits' have simplified malware and cybercrime to the point where average people that are only a little tech savvy can enter the game. Would you believe there are call centers running 24/7 to help criminals with software problems?

Did you know there are websites online where stolen credit card numbers - complete with PIN numbers - are sold in lots of 1,000 or more? Needless to say, you need serious references to access these sites. The FBI infiltrated and ran one of these sites to gather information sites. They closed it down in 2008.

Scareware happens when you get a popup on your screen screaming that you're infected. It's intimidating. People panic. If they click on most anything they get infected. Scareware is a small portion of cybercrime, yet its still BIG business.

One of these cyber gangs was taken down this past September. 90 arrest warrants issued in the U.S., 19 in the U.K. 5 in the Ukraine. The gang attempted to steal $220 million but only got $70 million. Only! This was a huge bust that involved dozens of agencies over multiple countries. It took an amazing degree of cooperation.

I haven't even mentioned rootkits or botnets yet. Despite law enforcement's best efforts, they are currently unable to protect you from most of the threats listed above. It's up to you to educate yourself, install appropriate safeguards on your computer, and change your online behavior to reduce the threat.