|
|
Fraudulent emails designed to glean sensitive personal information that could be used in identity theft are still fooling one out of three Internet users. For details, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5519990/
Using schemes ranging from low-level subscription fraud to sophisticated database break-ins, thieves are using fraudulent access to networks to steal services, and no sector of the telecom industry remains untouched. For details, see http://www.billingworld.com/archive-detail.cfm?archiveid=7575
A Boca Raton man is accused of stealing vast amounts of personal information from Acxiom Corporation, resulting in losses of more than $7 million. For details, see http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/07/21/cyber.theft/index.html
Organized, crippling denial of service (DDos) attacks are the latest weapon in cybercrime. In what is being called the first criminal case arising from a DDoS-for-hire scheme, a Massachusetts businessman has been charged with paying members of the computer underground to launch DDoS attacks against his competitors. For details, see http://www.securityfocus.com/news/9411
If you find a "hot" stock tip on your answering machine from someone you don't know, notify the SEC. This new scam is a deliberate attempt to deceive people into thinking that the caller misdialed and that their "tip" was intended for someone else, inspiring the unwary to invest in a particular stock. For details, see the government report at http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/wrongnumberscam.htm
Of the 50 suspects arrested earlier this year in an extensive anti-spam raid in Amsterdam, only one was successfully prosecuted and sentenced to 12 months in prison. For the full story, see http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/17/one_419er_jailed
To lodge a complaint against spammers, consumers should now contact spam@uce.gov Remember to include the full email header in your complaint. To learn more about how to avoid spam scams, go to http://www.ftc.gov/spam/
In August, average spam outbreaks surpassed 600,000 per day. Nearly half (47%) of these originated in South Korea, making that country the new world leader in spam hosting and a close second in spam distribution. For details, see http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2004/sep/1069591.htm
On July 27, a federal judge affirmed that copyright holders had the right to unmask anonymous file swappers accused of copyright violations. This ruling gave the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) an important tool for prosecuting music pirates. For the full story, see http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-5285605.html
In another action, a group of 46 state attorneys general asked file-sharing companies to take stronger action on privacy and intellectual-property violations. For details, see http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5298413.html
Two Florida siblings accused of illegally distributing drugs over the Internet plead guilty recently to the charges brought against them by the FDA. The pair, a brother and sister, had operated websites and toll-free numbers through which they unlawfully distributed and dispensed controlled substances without a prescription. Vincent Chhabra faces the possibility of 33 months of jail time, while his sister was sentenced to 12 months probation. For details, see
The latest trend in cybercrime is to write malicious programs designed to hijack PCs and create a network of 'zombies' --computers that can be used without their owners' knowledge to run programs of the hackers' choosing--and then sell these zombie networks to spammers and identity thieves. In recent months, this practice has contributed to record increases in web contagions and spam-related crimes. See http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2004-09-08-zombieuser_x.htm
The Chinese government recently authorized harsh measures against those who peddle pornographic material over the public networks. Depending upon the severity of the case, perpetrators can expect sentences ranging from detainment to life in prison. See http://www.chinatechnews.com/index.php?action=show&type=news&id=1733