Understanding the technology behind cybercrime is relatively easy, but figuring out who perpetrates it is a different story. As with many criminal investigations, the human element is often the most mysterious. Understanding cybercrime’s human element can help us understand why it occurs.
Phishing emails
Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cybersecurity threats. They are getting increasingly more sophisticated and can result in significant losses for the victim. In many cases, the attacker’s first goal is to obtain money. But they can also use stolen data to gain access to sensitive infrastructure. Phishers are constantly improving their methods as the world’s population becomes more connected.
Phishing emails typically look legitimate. They appear to be from scammers and have a company address, logo, and contact email addresses. These emails may ask for confidential information or money transfers. They are also used as a stepping stone to other cybercrime attacks.
Phishing emails come in many forms. They can be simple emails that trick users or they can direct users to a fake website where they will steal their personal information. Sometimes, they use fake social media profiles or email accounts to target specific individuals. Cybercriminals use these techniques for various purposes, including fraud, blackmail, and embarrassment. These types of emails are also used by state-sponsored hackers.
Phishing attacks can be a persistent threat that can persist for days or even months. The attacker will try to entice victims by asking for information, then disappear with it. The latest phishing campaigns have been focused on the technology, oil, and financial sectors. The Iranian government is believed to be behind the campaign called “Mia Ash”. This campaign lured victims into giving away private information, including passwords and private documents.
Although it is impossible to prevent phishing attacks completely, there are ways you can protect yourself. Start by ensuring that your emails are sent from reliable sources. Look for websites that begin with “https”. These websites encrypt the information that users send and receive. You can also block the email address of the sender.
Phishing attacks can be conducted through text messages, social media, and the phone. They can easily reach millions of people and hide behind a lot of harmless emails. This type of attack can be extremely harmful and result in identity theft or financial loss.
Complex coding
Cybercrime is a very common phenomenon and is often related to complex coding. Computer operating systems, for example, contain millions of codes that allow them to work. Unfortunately, because they are created by human beings, they are also prone to errors. Even small loopholes in the codes can affect how the system works. Cyber-criminals can take advantage of these errors to carry out a cyberattack.
Despite the rise in “as-a-service” offerings, most cybercriminals still need to have a basic understanding of programming languages. These tools can give them an advantage and increase their credibility. Threat actors are often suspicious of individuals with no programming skills. They may not be able to use pre-made source codes or scripts without coding skills and could be less credible. Hence, many cybercriminals frequent forums devoted to programming. These forums allow them to share their tools and offer help with tricky scripts.
Security is lacking
While the average person may think that lack of security is a non-issue, cyber-criminals are becoming increasingly organized and industrialized. PwC’s most recent study found that security incidents rose by 38% in 2016, the largest increase in 12 years. The 183% increase in thefts from intellectual property was the most significant. Cybersecurity is essential for protecting your business and detecting these threats.
Identity theft is one of the most prevalent cybercrimes. Identity thieves get access to a victim’s personal information to drain their bank account and credit. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to prevent this from happening to you. In addition to financial losses, identity theft can also impact a business’s reputation. Many companies have had the to pay millions of dollars to settle lawsuits against victims of data breaches.
Cyber-crime has become a significant source of revenue for organized crime groups, and it also presents a new type of challenge for law enforcement. National borders once preventing criminal activity, but now the internet has no boundaries and cyber-criminals have become a significant threat to our global economy and society.
The scope of cyber-crime is complex and difficult to quantify, which makes the need for proper security measures vital. The authorities will be able to get a better understanding of cybercrime’s extent with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Moreover, cyber-crime is a global problem; cyber-criminals and their technical infrastructures are often located abroad. This makes international cooperation crucial.
Cyber-criminals are more advanced than ever, and the methods used to steal data are constantly changing. The most prevalent methods of entry are social engineering, phishing, and spyware. Third-party vendors that process information often have a weak cybersecurity practice. As a result, it is important to ensure vendor risk management.
Lack of security is a major cause of cybercrime, and the costs involved are large. Even a small data breach could cause serious financial and reputational damage. Consequently, the issue of cyber-security is a top priority for the government and private sector.
State-sponsored actors
Ransomware and other malware are using by cybercriminals to disrupt the operations and government agencies. They also steal intellectual property and funds. They may even extort business owners. A number of cybercrime cases have been committed by state-sponsored actors. These actors often enter companies through third-party vendors.
These bad actors may be a part of the nation-state’s security apparatus, charged with monitoring dissidents and activists and spreading disinformation in cyberspace. Some of these actors may even form troll armies that attack media outlets and other entities. These actors may be motivated by ideology and may use these activities to further their own interests.
State-sponsored cyberespionage is an inevitable part of international affairs. This type of cyberespionage could even affect the US election. It is also a threat to national security. Cybercriminals are also learning from the techniques and infrastructure of state-sponsored hacking groups.
State-sponsored actors often target governments and organizations with their attacks. In January, a Russian-linked hacking group targeted the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica and crippled the country’s export and tax collections systems. A few days later, the Russian government said it had stopped the attack, which resulted in the theft of USDC and $540 million in cryptocurrency. The hacking of YouTube’s Russian version has also been blamed on state-sponsored actors.
In addition to phishing, cyberespionage also involves social engineering. In cyberespionage, actors send emails that contain infected links or attachments to trick their target. The Night Dragon campaign, for example, used a mix of social engineering tactics and malware.
The cost of cybercrime is estimated to reach $6 trillion by 2021. Cybercriminals can also cause great harm, besides the economic impact. These organized groups target state machinery, critical services, and businesses. It is estimated that cybercrime will cost $6 trillion globally by 2021.
Cybercrime is a global issue and has hit the U.S. particularly hard. Cybercrime has been a huge problem for small businesses, and the cost is not likely to decrease anytime soon. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, there are 925,000 people working in the field of cybersecurity.