The FBI recently released some interesting findings about cyber crime that confirmed what we suspected all along — cyber criminals are very business-like, working together, and operate like most other businesses that are out to make a profit. In the article, “The rise of Mafia-like cyber crime syndicates,” Deputy Assistant FBI Director, Steven Chabinsky, said a number of sting operations have uncovered the various roles individuals play within a criminal organization down to the specific titles and duties.

For example, Coders write the malware. Hackers are actively searching for vulnerabilities to exploit. Fraudsters create and deploy social engineering schemes. Hosters provide safe hosting of content on servers and sites. Techies maintain the infrastructure. And Leaders are the managers who keep the team together.

As these well-organized and highly efficient cyber gangs continue to steal U.S. public and private sector information “for the purpose of undermining the stability of our government or weakening our economic or military supremacy.” Chabinsky said:

“The cyber threat can be an existential threat, meaning it can challenge our country’s very existence, or significantly alter our nation’s potential.”

Undercover FBI agents who became trusted members of criminal organizations found that self-reliance is rare among cyber criminals. “Almost every cyber criminal is a member of at least one online forum, website or chat room,” said Chabinsky. They use these virtual meeting places to discuss techniques, share tools and tips, and evaluate other users.

As the FBI builds out its network of cyber security experts, it is also strengthening its international efforts by collaborating with law enforcement in more than 60 countries to fight cyber crime.

Creating a worldwide cyber security network mirrors the efforts of iovation’s device reputation network, which allows subscribers access to the world’s largest database of device intelligence. These subscribers benefit from information gathered from billions of transactions across multiple industries. Users tap into information on over 250 million computers which helps them fight fraud and expose sophisticated, highly-organized cyber gangs.

Tags: cyber crime, cyber security, device intelligence, device reputation, malware

This entry was posted on Friday, March 26th, 2010 at 10:29 am and is filed under Financial Services, Online Communities, Online Gambling, Online Gaming, Online Retail. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.