Read All About This at Symantec Corp.
What is so distrubing is that oridinary decent people are compromising
Who They Are to the Lure of Getting Rich.
The worst part of this, ORGANIZED CRIME HAVE PENETRATED THE INTERNET

Hacking Scare: Cybercriminals pursuing Profit
A Worldwide Epidemic

Article Launched: 06/07/2006 01:00:00 AM MDT

Business
Hacking scare: Cybercriminals pursuing profit
A security expert warns of techniques used to break into computer systems of banks, businesses and even the military.

By Andy Vuong
Denver Post Staff Writer
avuong@denverpost.com
303-820-1209

The thrill-seeking teenager is no longer the face of computer hacking.

Quote:

Sophisticated computer experts looking to profit from their technical skills are driving the new wave of cybercrimes, a national expert told 100 security officials Tuesday at the state Capitol.

Using "ransomware" and "spear phishing," among other techniques, these hackers are breaking into the computer systems of banks, small businesses and even the U.S. and British military, said Alan Paller, director of research for the SANS Institute, a computer-security training and research organization based in Bethesda, Md.

Ransomware is software that hackers use to keep victims from being able to access their computer data until a ransom is paid, Paller said.

Spear phishing occurs when hackers send spoof e-mails to government workers that appear to be from the agency's security officer, asking them to download a software patch that ultimately leaves their computers vulnerable.

"It's a story that we don't tell very much because telling it scares people," said Pal ler, who has testified before Congress on cybersecurity and homeland-security issues. "Hacking ... has become a financial crime, and it's a good financial crime."

In February, the Department of Justice announced plans to conduct its first-ever national study to measure the prevalence and impact of cybercrimes on businesses. A pilot survey conducted by Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2001 found that nearly 75 percent of U.S. businesses said they had been hit by a cybercrime.

Meanwhile, Colorado is beefing up its cybersecurity efforts.

Gov. Bill Owens signed three bills Tuesday that will give the state more funds and resources to develop and update

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Source: Denverpost.com
Source: Computer Crime Research