Contemporary Computer Crime and Malware

Contemporary Computer Crime

• Internet based crime can have a multitude of consequences including financial losses, threats to personal security, industrial espionage, threats to international security, and threats to public safety

Web-Based Criminal Activity

• Cyber crime can be broadly categorized into several areas including interference with the lawful use of computers, theft of information and copyright infringement, dissemination of contraband or offensive materials, threatening communications, fraud, and ancillary crimes

Malware: Viruses

• The design and dissemination of viruses has developed through different phases:
  • The classical era (1960s to 1970s) involved pranks or were accidentally distributed
  • The floppy era (1980s to 1990s) targeted DOS machines and were primarily distributed via floppy disks
  • The macro era (1990s to 2000s) infected documents and templates rather than programs
  • The internet era (2000 to present) has seen more sophisticated viruses seeking out vulnerable systems
• The spread of worms is often linked to a large-scale denial-of-service attack

Malware: Worms, DoS, and Botnets

• Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks aim to overwhelm computer servers, often through methods such as mail-bombing
• Botnets and zombie armies utilize compromised computers as a network (or botnet) to commit crimes such as theft, extortion, or DDoS attacks

Malware: Spam

• Spam is the abuse of electronic messaging systems, consuming resources across multiple platforms

Malware: Ransomware

• Ransomware is a type of malware that renders digital resources inoperable or inaccessible as part of an extortionate scheme
• Factors that contribute to the success of ransomware include the level of user education (less educated users are more susceptible) and the sophistication of the ransomware itself (not easily remedied by common software solutions)
• The PC Cyborg/Aids information Trojan, which was distributed via floppy mail, required victims to pay a fee to regain access to their files and decrypt their data

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Traditional methods for the theft of proprietary information can include:
  • Insiders, either while employed or through maintenance backdoors
  • Social engineering, such as shoulder surfing and dumpster diving
  • Theft of equipment
  • Malware
• There are concerns around the theft of trade secrets and copyrights, as these forms of intellectual property have value regardless of who owns them
• The theft of this type of property can be perpetrated by disgruntled employees, competitors, and government entities
• Political espionage is a serious threat, with estimates suggesting that over 120 foreign governments have intelligence operations targeting the United States
  • The FBI discovered that Israeli intelligence had secretly monitored presidential communications

Web-Based Criminal Activity

• Web-based crime includes interference with legal use of computers, theft of information and copyright infringement, dissemination of contraband or offensive materials, fraudulent behaviour, and ancillary crimes.
• Examples of Web-based criminal activity includes denial-of-service attacks, malware infection, spamming, cyberbullying, credit card fraud, money laundering, and identity theft.

Malware: Viruses

• In the classical era (1960s-1970s), viruses were often pranks, distributed accidentally or purposefully.
• During the floppy era (1980s-1990s), viruses primarily targeted DOS machines and were often distributed via floppy disks.
• The macro era (1990s-2000s) saw viruses infect documents and templates rather than programs.
• In the internet era (2000-present), viruses have become more sophisticated and target vulnerable systems on the internet.

Malware: Worms, DoS, and Botnets

• Worms are often used to set up large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
• DoS and DDoS attacks are designed to overwhelm servers, often through mail-bombing.
• Botnets (zombie armies) use compromised computers linked to the internet to perform illegal activities such as theft, extortion, and DDoS attacks.

Malware: Spam

• Spam is the abuse of electronic messaging systems.
• Spam is used to generate revenue, spread misinformation, or harass users.

Malware: Ransomware

• Ransomware is malware that makes digital resources inoperable or inaccessible to extort money from users.
• The success of ransomware relies on the user's education level, the sophistication of the malware, and the lack of available software remedies.

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Traditional methods of proprietary information theft can occur due to insiders, social engineering, theft of equipment, and malware.
• Theft of intellectual property, such as trade secrets and copyrights, can result from disgruntled employees, competitors, and government entities.
• Political espionage is a serious problem, with over 120 foreign governments estimated to be targeting the US.

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Political espionage can be used to gain an advantage in international relations or economic competition.
• Israel intelligence, for example, secretly monitored Presidential communications in 2000, displaying the potential for international political influence.

Web-Based Criminal Activity

• Includes financial loss, cyber threats, and industrial espionage.
• Examples of online crime include interference with lawful use of computers, theft of information and copyright infringement, and dissemination of contraband or offensive materials.
• Other web-based crimes include threatening communications, fraud, and ancillary crimes.

Malware: Viruses

• Early viruses involved pranks or were distributed accidentally.
• Floppy era viruses mainly infected DOS machines and were primarily distributed via floppy disks.
• Macro era viruses infected documents and templates rather than programs.
• Internet era viruses are more sophisticated and target vulnerable systems.

Malware: Worms, DoS, and Botnets

• Worms are often used to create large-scale DoS attacks.
• Denial of Service (DoS) attempts to overload servers, for example, through mail-bombing.
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks use compromised computers (zombies) linked to the internet as a botnet for theft, extortion, or DDoS attacks.

Malware: Spam

• Spam abuses electronic messaging systems, taking up resources across multiple platforms.

Malware: Ransomware

• Ransomware restricts access to digital resources in an extortion scheme.
• Victims with less computer literacy are more vulnerable to ransomware.
• Examples include the PC Cyborg/Aids Trojan, distributed through mail on a floppy disk, requiring $378 payment for access recovery.

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Traditional methods of information theft include actions by insiders, social engineering (like shoulder surfing and dumpster diving), theft of equipment, and malware.
• Trade secrets and copyrights have inherent value independent of the owner's production, such as a company's new razor design.
• Theft of trade secrets can result from disgruntled employees, competitors, or government entities.
• Political espionage poses a significant threat, as governments monitor the U.S. on a large scale, such as the Israeli intelligence monitoring Presidential communications.

Web-Based Criminal Activity

• Computer crimes can extend beyond the internet, encompassing financial losses, threats to personal security, industrial espionage, threats to international security, and threats to public safety.
• Activities that fall under "online crime" include interference with lawful computer use via eco-terrorism, DOS attacks, malware deployment, cyber vandalism, cyber terrorism, spam, and information theft such as industrial espionage, ID theft, and ID fraud.
• Other web-based criminal activities include the dissemination of contraband or offensive materials like pornography, child pornography, online gaming, and treasonous or racist material.
• Threatening communications via extortion, cyber stalking, cyber harassment, and cyber bullying are also included.
• Financial crimes like auction fraud, credit card fraud, theft of services, stock manipulation, and ancillary crimes like money laundering and conspiracy are prevalent.

Malware: Viruses

• Viruses have evolved through different phases:
  • Classical Era (1960s–1970s): Focused on pranks or accidental distribution.
  • Floppy Era (1980s–1990s): Targeted DOS machines, predominantly spread through floppy disks.
  • Macro Era (1990s–2000s): Infected documents and templates rather than programs.
  • Internet Era (2000–present): More sophisticated, seeking vulnerable systems.

Malware: Worms, DoS, and Botnets

• Worms commonly serve as a foundation for large-scale DoS attacks.
• Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks attempt to overwhelm servers, often through mail-bombing tactics.
• Botnets and Zombie Armies utilize compromised computers connected to the internet, forming a botnet for theft, extortion, or DDoS attacks.

Malware: Spam

• Spam involves the abuse of electronic messaging systems, consuming resources across multiple platforms.

Malware: Ransomware

• Ransomware disrupts or restricts access to digital resources as part of an extortion scheme.
• The effectiveness of ransomware depends on user education levels and the sophistication of the software.

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Traditional methods of stealing proprietary information involve insiders, social engineering tactics such as shoulder surfing and dumpster diving, equipment theft, and malware.
• Concerns surrounding trade secrets and copyrights involve the value of intellectual property independent of the owner's production.
• Disgruntled employees, competitors, and government entities can be involved in the theft of trade secrets and copyrights.
• Political Espionage poses significant threats, with the FBI reporting that over 120 foreign governments have intelligence operations targeting the U.S.
• Israeli intelligence has been known to secretly monitor Presidential communications.

Contemporary Computer Crime

• Computer crime encompasses various activities, including financial losses, threats to personal security, industrial espionage, threats to international security, and threats to public safety.

Web-Based Criminal Activity

• Web-based crime encompasses various forms, including interference with lawful computer use, theft of information, dissemination of contraband, threatening communications, fraud, and ancillary crimes.

Malware: Viruses

• Virus development and distribution have evolved through distinct phases: Classical Era, Floppy Era, Macro Era, and Internet Era.
• The Internet Era has seen the development of more sophisticated viruses seeking vulnerable systems.

Malware: Worms, DoS, and Botnets

• Worms primarily serve as a tool for launching large-scale DoS attacks.
• DoS and DDoS attacks aim to overwhelm servers via techniques like mail-bombing.
• Botnets are comprised of compromised computers, linked to the internet, forming a "zombie army" for illicit purposes like theft, extortion, and DDoS attacks.

Malware: Spam

• Spam refers to the abuse of electronic messaging systems, consuming resources across multiple platforms.

Malware: Ransomware

• Ransomware is a type of malware that disables or restricts access to digital resources in an extortion scheme.
• Factors contributing to ransomware susceptibility include user education level (less educated, more vulnerable) and the sophistication of the ransomware (not easily addressed by typical software remedies).

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Traditional methods of proprietary information theft involve insiders, social engineering, equipment theft, and malware.
• Trade secrets and copyrights possess value independently of their owner's production, making them vulnerable to theft.
• Theft can originate from disgruntled employees, competitors, and government entities.
• Political espionage presents a significant concern, with the FBI estimating that over 120 foreign governments conduct intelligence operations targeting the United States.

Web-Based Criminal Activity

• Computer crimes cause financial losses and threaten personal security, industrial espionage, international security, and public safety
• Online crimes include interference with the lawful use of computers, theft of information and copyright infringement, dissemination of contraband or offensive materials, threatening communications, fraud, and ancillary crimes.

Malware: Viruses

• Virus design and dissemination have progressed through different phases:
  • Classical Era (1960s–1970s): pranks or accidental distribution.
  • Floppy Era (1980s–1990s): DOS machines; primarily distributed via floppy disks.
  • Macro Era (1990s–2000s): Infected documents and templates, rather than programs.
  • Internet Era (2000–present): Sophisticated, seeking out vulnerable systems.

Malware: Worms, DoS, and Botnets

• Worms are primarily used for large-scale DoS (Denial of Service) attacks
• DoS and DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks overwhelm servers
  • Mail-bombing can cause a DoS attack
• Botnets use compromised computers to steal, extort, or carry out DDoS attacks

Malware: Spam

• Uses electronic messaging systems to take up resources across multiple platforms

Malware: Ransomware

• Makes digital resources inoperable or inaccessible in an extortion scheme
• Factors influencing vulnerability include:
  • User's education level (less educated, more vulnerable)
  • Sophistication of the ransomware (not amenable to common software remedies)

Theft of Information, Data Manipulation, and Web Encroachment

• Methods of proprietary information theft include:
  • Insiders using their position or maintenance back doors
  • Social engineering: shoulder-surfing and dumpster diving
  • Theft of equipment
  • Malware
• Trade secrets and copyrights are valuable regardless of the owner’s production.
  • Theft can be perpetrated by disgruntled employees, competitors, and government entities
• Political espionage is a serious threat
  • The FBI estimates that over 120 foreign governments have intelligence operations targeting the U.S.
  • Israeli intelligence secretly monitored Presidential communications.

This quiz covers the various aspects of contemporary computer crime, including internet-based offenses and the evolution of malware. Explore the different phases of virus development and the impacts of cybercriminal activities on society and security. Test your understanding of these critical topics in digital safety.