Users Making Id Theft Simpler for Cyber Criminals, Claim Security Experts

The estimations prepared by Get Safe Online, a UK-based government Website that publishes ads on Internet security, show that around 10.8 Million people in the UK are enrolled with social networking sites, which accounts for 34% of all the users of Internet.

The colleted data also highlights that out of all enrolled users, almost 25% have submitted their personal information on net, including e-mail address, phone number, and residence address. Surprisingly, this data is higher in the age group of 18-24 as around 34% people (of this age group) have given out their private information.

A security expert with Symantec, William Beer, commented that organized crime is no more conducted by script kiddies and hackers; instead, there are groups of crooks who are efficiently equipped and well funded, as per the news reported by Telegraph.co.uk on February 29, 2008.

William also informed that conducting crime for fame and popularity is reducing and monetary gain serves as a driving force for criminals. Beer also added that displaying any kind of private data can lead to dire consequences.

Security Expert and Senior Technology Consultant, Sophos, Graham Cluley, told about the latest method used by hackers. As per Graham, cyber crooks can make use of zombie networks of the innocent people to manipulate stock prices, send spam, steal identities, and attack Websites of company.

Graham also claimed that these botnets pose a major threat for Internet nowadays and has proved a powerful tool for developed hacker. Cluley also said that people link to other without pondering much, as reported by Telegraph on February 29, 2008.

As per Graham, social networking sites users are already linked to a cyber criminal. Further, these Websites are famous among hackers due to an appropriate social context improves upon the results of phishing attacks.

Reacting to the opinion of Graham, social networking Website Facebook declared that it takes privacy issue seriously and ensures to provide a safe environment to interact freely, as reported by Telegraph.co.uk on February 29, 2008.

However, Cluley said that users should be secured by default. Opening many Websites allows users to connect. (So) to ensure security, turn off everything and leave it on the users to operate.

Related article: Users Making Opening Online Accounts To Identify Thefts

» SPAMfighter News - 3/13/2008